The son of two professional cellists and music educators, Nathan Lavender grew up in an environment rich with music. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he took to the cello from a young age and decided to pursue a career in music. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance from West Virginia University in 2014, where he studied under cellist William Skidmore and was a featured performer with the WVU orchestra as a member of a cello trio which performed arrangements of rock and pop music. There, he also was the honored recipient of the John Lochner Award for Musical Excellence. Following graduation, Nathan returned to Lancaster and decided to further pursue both music performance and education. While maintaining a full roster of cello students, he also actively performed with many ensembles in the area including the Franklin and Marshall College Orchestra, Allegro Orchestra Lancaster, Central Pennsylvania Symphony, and the Fulton Theatre Pit Orchestra. In addition, he is the cellist with Vivace Live String Quartet, a sought-after events ensemble which also performs frequent showcase concerts featuring pop, hip-hop, rock, blues, and jazz, in addition to classical works.

 

Always seeking to refine his technique and musicianship, Nathan earned his MM in Performance from Temple University in 2026, where he studied with Professor Jeffrey Solow and deepened his approach to both playing and teaching the cello. As an educator, he believes each student should develop the tools to express a unique musical voice. His teaching emphasizes balance, relaxation, and efficient movement, helping students experience the cello as an extension of the body. A strong advocate for non-classical styles, Nathan encourages students to explore their personal musical interests and use the cello to shape their own musical identity.​

​

​