Nathan Smith is a native of Dallas Texas, whose compositions blur the lines between contemporary, classical and traditional folk music. He strives to blend his love of classical and marching percussion with singer songwriter traditions and incorporate new percussive elements to already established genres. He was born and raised in the Dallas, TX area surrounded by a dense jazz, gospel and marching band scene. He attended the University of Missouri, where he studied classical percussion under Dr. Julia Gaines and played on the Mizzou snare line. In 2011 he marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and has since taught several groups including the Guardians, Jersey Surf, and Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps. Nathan is also an accomplished drum set player, winning the Austin Unsigned Artist of the Year award, as well as the LA Music Critics blog’s number one single award and fan favorite awards with various different artists. In 2017, Nathan moved to Valencia, Spain to pursue his masters degree in Contemporary Performance from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, studying under Victor Mendoza. After graduating in 2018 he traveled around Europe playing at many renowned and historic jazz clubs and music venues. From there he moved to Seattle, performing as a solo marimba artist and on the Blue Thunder Drum Line. He was also an assistant professor at Northwest University teaching private lessons and the drum line. Nathan is looking forward to beginning his Doctoral Studies at the University of Arizona under Dr. Morris Palter in the fall of 2023. He will lead the Cross Talk Ensemble and instruct the Electronic Music production course.