Nathan Mitchell is a conductor, clinician, and educator from Newport, MN. He holds a Bachelors in
Music in instrumental music education from the University of Minnesota Duluth and is currently a
graduate student at UMD studying a Masters Degree in Applied Conducting, serving as teaching
assistant to the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and athletic bands. Prior to this appointment, Mr
Mitchell taught all levels of band and orchestra in districts throughout the Twin Cities, MN and
surrounding areas with great success building programs and skills. He continues to serve by guest conducting
and giving clinics to bands and orchestras around the
community. He spreads joy and passion through music in every group he conducts.
Mr. Mitchell enjoys a busy schedule with conducting commitments in both wind bands and
orchestras. He was appointed Pit Orchestra Director of the Prior Lake Players Theatre and the River
Valley Community band in 2020 and led virtual performances of the groups through COVID. He has
participated in conducting workshops such as the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Wind Band
Conducting Workshop, the University of Colorado Boulder Orchestra Conducting Symposium, the
Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute as a Conducting Fellow, and most recently the Conductors
Retreat at Medomak in Washington, ME. Mr. Mitchell plans to continue participating in more national
and international conducting workshops and competitions in the near future.
Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Mitchell directed award winning orchestras and pit orchestras.
Orchestras under his direction were awarded superior ratings in Large Group competition through
the Minnesota State High School League. While directing the pit orchestra for Bye, Bye Birdie and
Blood Brothers for Park High School (Cottage Grove, MN) the group was awarded Honorable
Mentions from Hennepin Theatre Trust's Spotlight Education, which were the firsts in that school's
history. Mr. Mitchell also mentored multiple students who were accepted as all-state and
all-conterence musicians
As a trumpet artist, Mr. Mitchell has enjoyed performing with a wide range of ensembles, including
the Sioux Falls Mariachi Band, Grand Symphonic Winds, St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra,
Minnesota Jazz Orchestra, Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps, and pit orchestras playing
first/lead trumpet for Chicago, Shrek, Kiss Me Kate, La Boheme, Rigoletto, Carmen, Lucia di
Lammermoor, and opera gala concerts
Mr. Mitchell is thankful for the wonderful teachers who have helped him along his musical career. His
primary conducting instructors include Mark Whitlock, Rudy Perrault, and Rafael Rodriguez, and has
studied additionally with Eugene Corporon, Jack Stamp, Gary Lewis, Larry Livingston, Anna
Edwards, Diane Witty, and Kenneth Kiosler.
Mr. Mitchell lives in Duluth, MN and when he isn't performing or conducting, you can find him
enjoying craft beverages from local establishments, playing board games, Pokemon Go, cribbage,
and walking along the lake. He enjoys outdoor activities and camping.
Music in instrumental music education from the University of Minnesota Duluth and is currently a
graduate student at UMD studying a Masters Degree in Applied Conducting, serving as teaching
assistant to the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and athletic bands. Prior to this appointment, Mr
Mitchell taught all levels of band and orchestra in districts throughout the Twin Cities, MN and
surrounding areas with great success building programs and skills. He continues to serve by guest conducting
and giving clinics to bands and orchestras around the
community. He spreads joy and passion through music in every group he conducts.
Mr. Mitchell enjoys a busy schedule with conducting commitments in both wind bands and
orchestras. He was appointed Pit Orchestra Director of the Prior Lake Players Theatre and the River
Valley Community band in 2020 and led virtual performances of the groups through COVID. He has
participated in conducting workshops such as the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Wind Band
Conducting Workshop, the University of Colorado Boulder Orchestra Conducting Symposium, the
Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute as a Conducting Fellow, and most recently the Conductors
Retreat at Medomak in Washington, ME. Mr. Mitchell plans to continue participating in more national
and international conducting workshops and competitions in the near future.
Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Mitchell directed award winning orchestras and pit orchestras.
Orchestras under his direction were awarded superior ratings in Large Group competition through
the Minnesota State High School League. While directing the pit orchestra for Bye, Bye Birdie and
Blood Brothers for Park High School (Cottage Grove, MN) the group was awarded Honorable
Mentions from Hennepin Theatre Trust's Spotlight Education, which were the firsts in that school's
history. Mr. Mitchell also mentored multiple students who were accepted as all-state and
all-conterence musicians
As a trumpet artist, Mr. Mitchell has enjoyed performing with a wide range of ensembles, including
the Sioux Falls Mariachi Band, Grand Symphonic Winds, St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra,
Minnesota Jazz Orchestra, Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps, and pit orchestras playing
first/lead trumpet for Chicago, Shrek, Kiss Me Kate, La Boheme, Rigoletto, Carmen, Lucia di
Lammermoor, and opera gala concerts
Mr. Mitchell is thankful for the wonderful teachers who have helped him along his musical career. His
primary conducting instructors include Mark Whitlock, Rudy Perrault, and Rafael Rodriguez, and has
studied additionally with Eugene Corporon, Jack Stamp, Gary Lewis, Larry Livingston, Anna
Edwards, Diane Witty, and Kenneth Kiosler.
Mr. Mitchell lives in Duluth, MN and when he isn't performing or conducting, you can find him
enjoying craft beverages from local establishments, playing board games, Pokemon Go, cribbage,
and walking along the lake. He enjoys outdoor activities and camping.
