Nathan Avakian
December 15, 2024
Nathan is a songwriter, film composer, and organist. Known for his unique blending of virtual instrument technology with organ music, Nathan’s live performances satisfy contemporary musical tastes and pay tribute to the historical legacy of the pipe organ.
Nathan’s fascination with the pipe organ began at age four with a visit to the Portland Organ Grinder, a restaurant featuring pop music played live on a theatre organ with all of its mechanics exposed. At age eleven he began nine years of private organ studies with Donna Parker, and he was frequently coached by Jonas Nordwall.
Since winning the American Theatre Organ Society Young Organist Competition in 2009, Nathan has provided pipe organ entertainment across the United States and internationally including performances in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Thailand. He has released several albums featuring theatre and classical pipe organs as well as virtual orchestrations. From 2011-2013 Nathan served as the Youth Representative on the American Theatre Organ Society Board of Directors managing programs that recognize and support the work of young organ students.
As resident organist and composer for the International Youth Silent Film Festival, Nathan created music that inspired young filmmakers around the world. He helped pioneer the festival’s expansion to include regional competitions across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Nathan produces cinematic scores for films and web series including “Makers Who Inspire” and “The Creative Quarantine Sessions,” and he is resident composer for the “I Am A Creator” documentary series from Kit. He has also created original theatre organ scores for five historic silent films for Thanhouser Company Film Preservation and various shorts by contemporary filmmakers.
Nathan has a growing collection of piano and organ compositions to his credit including “At The Square,” commissioned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Jersey Journal publication in 2017. In 2020 he started a songwriting business with his sister Claire called “Passing Notes” writing and producing personalized songs for customers and their loved ones.
Nathan also works as a freelance theatrical lighting designer. In 2014 he received a B.F.A. degree in lighting design from Purchase College, State University of New York.