Biography

Nathanael Kumar has been creating for as long as he can remember. After a decade spent writing fantasy stories, humming inscrutable tunes, and theorizing new inventions, he found a permanent creative home in classical music in the sixth grade, when he discovered a miniature tuba called the “euphonium”. In the ensuing years, he fell in love with soloing, composition, and the violin standard repertoire. Now, as a full-time music student, he leads a double life as a euphonist and composer.

As a soloist, Nathanael has performed with the Houston Symphonic Band and won first place at the 2025 Falcone Festival competition. In his recitals, he champions new and unusual euphonium repertoire, and has a penchant for transcriptions (most recently: the violin concerti of Barber and Sibelius).

As a composer of new music, Nathanael strives to balance technical innovation with accessibility for listeners. In his latest work, a concertante solo entitled Norwegian Serenade, he blends quasi-tonal harmonies and violinistic melodies with a folk song in reflection on his childhood.

In addition to his academic studies, Nathanael is currently working towards a certificate in arts leadership. As part of this work, he’s completed internships in music admissions and summer-festival administration.

He currently studies with Justin Benavidez and Elizabeth Ogonek at the Eastman School of Music. Past euphonium teachers include Mark Kellogg, Matthew Murchison, and Steven Needham. In composition, Nathanael has also studied with Daniel Pesca, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez, Tom Schneller, and David Liptak.