Nathan Avakian
Nathan Avakian is an internationally acclaimed composer, producer and entertainer who brings bold, contemporary sound to film and live performance. His work encompasses a wide spectrum of genres from cinematic, orchestral, and choral music to electronic, pop, rock, and jazz. Recognized for his innovative approach to the theatre organ, Nathan has redefined the instrument for modern audiences through multimedia performances, unique collaborations, and original compositions.
Nathan’s fascination with the pipe organ began at age four with a visit to the Portland Organ Grinder, a restaurant featuring popular music played live on a theatre organ with all of its mechanics exposed. He studied with Donna Parker for nine years beginning at age eleven. Jonas Nordwall was another influential teacher and mentor. Since winning the American Theatre Organ Society Young Organist Competition in 2009, Nathan has produced three genre-blending albums and performed over 200 concerts across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Thailand.
As fifteen-year 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’s cinematic scoring work has been featured in films, web series, and podcasts including Tiffany Day: The Gratitude Tour, Apotheosis, The Creative Quarantine Sessions, Makers Who Inspire, and the I Am A Creator documentary series from Kit. He has also composed original theatre organ scores for five historic silent films for Thanhouser Company Film Preservation and several silent shorts by contemporary filmmakers.
Nathan has a growing collection of piano and organ compositions to his credit including a reharmonized arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner and At The Square, a solo organ piece 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.
For more information about Nathan’s music, visit www.avakianmusic.com.