Nathanael Leavitt
instrument
Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin.
Paris, France
1874
Nathanael leavitt
American Violinist Nathanael Leavitt has studied at the Oberlin Conservatory, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and summers include studies at the Colburn Conservatory. He has toured in Switzerland, France, Belgium, and in the United States- performing in spaces including Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions. Nathanael debuted as a soloist with the Aurora Symphony Orchestra at 11 years old, playing Autumn from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and has appeared as a guest solo artist with ensembles including the Pikes Peak Philharmonic, Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, Mercury Ensemble, and Cleveland Institute-CWRU Baroque Orchestra.
Nathanael was a first prize winner at the inaugural Music International Grand Prix 2021, the Charleston International Competition 2021, and was also honored to accept the 2021 iClassical Academy Special Recognition Prize. He has also received first prize in numerous local competitions in midwest USA and appeared as a guest artist and Concertmaster in the award winning film “Thicker than Water” (2018). He has recorded with NAXOS Records as Associate Concertmaster of the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic and performs often in the section of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. In 2023 was the runner-up for a section Violin position in the Colorado Symphony, and in 2024 he was one of five finalists for a position in the 1st Violin section of the famed Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
In 2019, Nathanael toured as 1st Violinist of the Belle Street String Quartet and gave masterclasses and performances in St. Paul and Minneapolis MN. The quartet was the Artist-in-Resident quartet at Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival and worked closely with the Curtis Institute’s Faculty Dover String Quartet, the American String Quartet, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, and performed with Masumi Per Rostad of the GRAMMY award winning Pacifica String Quartet. As an avid chamber musician Nathanael has performed both in Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute’s Resident Contemporary Chamber Music Ensembles.
a clip from a recent recital
grieg
sonata no. 3
About Teachers
Nathanael continues the teaching and performing methods of Ivan Galamian, Eugene Ysaye, Jascha Heifetz, Roland and Almita Vamos, and their students.
“The Galamian Bow Arm Technique, Heifitz Scales, and Teaching Mentality of the Vamos’s are all great examples of how my art is a unique reflection of my personal experiences. While multiple schools cannot always exist in one violinist, some aspects can, and that is what makes us all unique.”
-Nathanael Leavitt
with Robert Lipsett in the studio of the great
jascha heifitz (1901-1987)
Heifitz (Black and White photo) is widely regarded as one of the greatest performing artists of all time. His studio is preserved and carefully used for violin lessons in the Colburn School in Los Angeles, California.
Jascha Heifitz
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