Musical Background

Nathan West started playing violin as a Suzuki student at age 6. At 10 he won first place in the Pocatello Junior Music club annual scholarship competition, which funded additional private lessons. Nathan performed regularly at nursing homes, retirement centers, community and church events throughout his teenage years. 

When he turned 19, Nathan took 2 years off of playing the violin to serve as a missionary for his church. When he returned, he resumed playing and pursued music degrees as a collegiate student, where he was in the regular rotation of principle players. While earning violin degrees, he supplemented his studies with lessons in orchestral conducting. 

Nathan’s motivation has always been performing. He has always enjoyed entertaining people of any age or culture with music and showmanship. He has performed in orchestras and solo recitals around the US and several times in Europe. In reference to his foreign travels, Nathan states, “Many times music has overcome the language barrier and helped me create friendships with some of the nicest people on earth. The heart and soul of a performer translates instantly into any language, and so does the enthusiasm with which a performance is received.” 

Nathan has found great joy, strength, and assurance in classical music throughout his life.  During the summers he continues Suzuki Talent Education training as a means to refresh and teach the skills that were developed in him as a student, skills that he now enjoys developing with a new generation.