Nathan Avakian

Nathan’s fascination with the theatre organ began at age four with a visit to the Portland Organ Grinder Restaurant. He began formal organ studies with Donna Parker at age eleven and has also been frequently coached by Jonas Nordwall. Since winning the American Theatre Organ Society Young Organist Competition in 2009, Nathan has provided theatre organ entertainment across the United States and internationally. In 2011 he completed a six-week concert tour of Australia and New Zealand. He has released multiple albums featuring both theatre and classical pipe organs as well as virtual orchestrations.

Renowned for his tasteful blending of twenty-first century virtual instrument technology with theatre organ music, Nathan offers performances that satisfy contemporary musical tastes and pay tribute to the historical legacy of the theatre organ. As resident organist and composer for the International Youth Silent Film Festival, Nathan creates music that inspires young filmmakers around the world as they reinvent the art of silent film. He helped pioneer the festival’s expansion which now includes regionals in Oregon, Michigan, Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, and New Zealand. Nathan has also scored several historic silent films for Thanhouser Company Film Preservation as well as contemporary shorts by various filmmakers.

Nathan served as the Youth Representative on the American Theatre Organ Society Board of Directors from 2011-2013 managing programs that recognize and support the work of young organ students.

Currently based in New York City, Nathan works as a freelance lighting designer and design associate with organizations including Historic Hudson Valley, Half Moon Theatre, Princeton University, New York Stage and Film, Purchase Opera, and the Lighting Design Group. In 2014 Nathan received a B.F.A. degree in lighting design from Purchase College, State University of New York.

For more information, visit www.avakianmusic.com