How would you compare the music scene in New York compared to the one in San Francisco? I am really loving not only the music opportunities in New York, but the life lessons here too. I feel immensely mobile in this city, which makes me feel so free to absorb the energy and culture here. Playing in both Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall (as a soloist with the Little Orchestra Society and with the Juilliard Orchestra) are two great examples of the musical possibilities in New York. I am excited to start my Masters degree at The Juilliard School this year and really can’t wait to immerse myself in its energy. I really love it. What’s a current project you’re excited about? I am currently working on a project called “Nathan Chan: Breaking the Wall.” I am extremely excited about the project, which is a documen58 | WINTER 2014 | FAIRWEATHER
Above: Nathan Chan in a dynamic performance at Avery Fisher Hall with the Little Orchestra Society under Grammy-winning conductor David Alan Miller. Top left: Nathan took up conducting at the tender age of three!
tary made by Shearwater Films, which is a small and talented team of filmmakers in New York. The goal of the project is to explore and showcase the creative musical opportunities to connect audiences with music in a way made possible by a 21st century musician. Ultimately, we would like to see the trailer reach a global audience, but are currently focusing on reaching a demographic in Asia. How do you balance music and your ensemble, String Theory, with school and your social life? Throughout my life, I’ve had great fortune to be able to pursue both music and academia at a very high level. I feel that beyond music and the cello, I am a great “people person.” I think I am outgoing and extroverted in my personality and have used this to bridge both these spheres of my life. I am
ALL PHOTOS COURETESY OF NATHAN CHAN
What inspired you to study at Columbia? When I was deciding upon choices on where to study for college, I made a conscious and deliberate choice to pursue both academia and music at an extremely high level. I ultimately decided on attending both Columbia University and The Juilliard School for their dual degree program. So much of music is being able to relate the entire amalgamation of human thought, knowledge and emotion into your playing. I strongly feel that having this vast wealth of knowledge made possible by a liberal arts education has and will continue to be an important part of the way I play the cello.