Biography
Nathan Wubbena is a conductor, teacher, composer, and lyric baritone. He completed his Master of Music in Music Education with a specialization in Conducting at Colorado State University in 2018. Throughout his time at CSU, he conducted professional orchestras, bands, choirs, and a theatrical production. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Northern Colorado with his Bachelor of Music Education, specializing in Vocal, Piano, and General Music. During his time at UNC, Nathan was President of the ACDA chapter, and founded and directed UNC’s top male a cappella group, Renegade. He was also an active member in the university’s opera and choral programs, performing lead roles in several performances and as a multi-year member of Concert Choir and Men’s Glee Club. In 2010, he traveled to Germany and France, performing as a chorus member and soloist with Opera Classica Europa. He participated in several National Teachers of Singing (NATS) competitions; in 2010 and 2011 he took first place in his categories.
Immediately following his graduation in 2011, Nathan received a position at St John and Bea Underwood Elementary, where he taught General Music. In 2012, he moved to Riverside Middle School and Coal Ridge High School in New Castle. During his tenure at Coal Ridge and Riverside he expanded the choral program, eventually teaching five choirs between the two schools, as well as Drama and General Music. Under Mr. Wubbena’s direction, both high school and middle school choirs won awards for Superior performance at competitions; in 2014, Coal Ridge High School took the 3A Sweepstakes Award at Colorado West Invitational in Grand Junction. In 2014, he founded Coal Ridge and Riverside’s Drama Program, when he directed the schools’ first musical production, The Sound of Music. Other shows he has directed include Elf Jr. (2017) Annie Jr. (2017), Cinderella (2016), Once Upon a Mattress (2015), The Music Man (2012), and Guys & Dolls (2011). In 2015, Mr. Wubbena received the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Colorado Music Educator's Association, which honors outstanding achievement in an educator with up to 5 years of teaching experience. Mr. Wubbena also established the Roaring Fork Valley Middle School Festival, and has secured several clinicians for CMEA District 8’s Fall Vocal Festival.
He has now moved to Longmont, where he was the choral director at Sunset Middle School for 4 years. He founded and directed the school's elite a cappella group that represents the school at various functions, and co-founded the St. Vrain A Cappella Summer Camp, which he organizes and teaches. He also founded and organizes the St. Vrain Valley School District Middle School Choral Festival, which is held in the Spring. Currently, Nathan conducts the intermediate ensemble Volante of the Boulder Children's Chorale, as well as the elite contemporary a cappella ensemble, Peak A Cappella.
In addition to his regular school commitments, Nathan was the Co-Chair of the Colorado Middle School All State Choir Board; he has served on the board since it was founded in 2012, previously holding the positions of Secretary as well as District Governor. He has been a guest clinician and conductor for several honor choirs and events throughout his career around the state of Colorado. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors’ Association as well as the National Association for Music Education, of which he has been a continuous member since 2011. Nathan also performed with Defiance Community Players in Glenwood Springs. Most recently, he performed the roles of Javert in Les Miserables (2014) and Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast (2013). Additionally, he performed as a guest soloist yearly with Symphony in the Valley. Nathan has also taught private guitar, trumpet, and voice lessons throughout his career. In his downtime, Nathan composes a cappella music, which he both performs himself and uses with his choirs.
Immediately following his graduation in 2011, Nathan received a position at St John and Bea Underwood Elementary, where he taught General Music. In 2012, he moved to Riverside Middle School and Coal Ridge High School in New Castle. During his tenure at Coal Ridge and Riverside he expanded the choral program, eventually teaching five choirs between the two schools, as well as Drama and General Music. Under Mr. Wubbena’s direction, both high school and middle school choirs won awards for Superior performance at competitions; in 2014, Coal Ridge High School took the 3A Sweepstakes Award at Colorado West Invitational in Grand Junction. In 2014, he founded Coal Ridge and Riverside’s Drama Program, when he directed the schools’ first musical production, The Sound of Music. Other shows he has directed include Elf Jr. (2017) Annie Jr. (2017), Cinderella (2016), Once Upon a Mattress (2015), The Music Man (2012), and Guys & Dolls (2011). In 2015, Mr. Wubbena received the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Colorado Music Educator's Association, which honors outstanding achievement in an educator with up to 5 years of teaching experience. Mr. Wubbena also established the Roaring Fork Valley Middle School Festival, and has secured several clinicians for CMEA District 8’s Fall Vocal Festival.
He has now moved to Longmont, where he was the choral director at Sunset Middle School for 4 years. He founded and directed the school's elite a cappella group that represents the school at various functions, and co-founded the St. Vrain A Cappella Summer Camp, which he organizes and teaches. He also founded and organizes the St. Vrain Valley School District Middle School Choral Festival, which is held in the Spring. Currently, Nathan conducts the intermediate ensemble Volante of the Boulder Children's Chorale, as well as the elite contemporary a cappella ensemble, Peak A Cappella.
In addition to his regular school commitments, Nathan was the Co-Chair of the Colorado Middle School All State Choir Board; he has served on the board since it was founded in 2012, previously holding the positions of Secretary as well as District Governor. He has been a guest clinician and conductor for several honor choirs and events throughout his career around the state of Colorado. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors’ Association as well as the National Association for Music Education, of which he has been a continuous member since 2011. Nathan also performed with Defiance Community Players in Glenwood Springs. Most recently, he performed the roles of Javert in Les Miserables (2014) and Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast (2013). Additionally, he performed as a guest soloist yearly with Symphony in the Valley. Nathan has also taught private guitar, trumpet, and voice lessons throughout his career. In his downtime, Nathan composes a cappella music, which he both performs himself and uses with his choirs.