Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathaniel Voelker.
Hi Nathaniel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Nathaniel Voelker has been focused on his art since he began studying music and drama at age 6, His earliest stage performances included musicals in theaters that seated 1000s of guests at age 10. In high school he attended the presitgious Interlochen Arts Academy (IAA) focused on vocal arts, piano, and conducting. In his senior year he served as Assistant Director of Choirs, Director of the IAA Men’s Choir and Chamber Orchestra, tutor in music theory and msic history, and taught voice to instrumental and drama students. His college years took him to Rochester, NY, where he studied at the Eastman School of Music and Roberts Wesleyan College.. He served as Assistant Director of Eastman Opera, faculty at Genesee Community College, co Conductor of the Roberts Wesleyan Choir, and began work as Music DIrector in churches at age 19. Voelker continues to serve as Music DIrector of various churches for the next 24 years. Graduate study to took him to Emory University in Atlanta, GA where he served as teaching assistant to the Director of Choral Activities, managed the 250 voice Emory University Chorus, and played harpsichord with the Emory Baroque Orchestra.
In addition to serving with ministries in NY, GA, MO, and CO, Voelker worked with various audtioned and non auditioned community ensembles that toured annual, recorded in Nashville, TN, performed live on National Public Radio, and with professional symphonies. Outside of his work in the arts, Voelker has served in leadership as Executive Director of Kenya Methodist University Development Association since 2017 and regularly returns to Kenya.
While continuing to be active as an instructor of voice, conducting, piano, and drama, guest clinician and adjudicator, today Voelker has grown Soli Deo Gloria Choir to be the largest choral organization in southern Colorado and is currently in development of plans to create various nationwide events, the first of which will occur in April 2026 conducting Mozart’s Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Voelker resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Cassandra Voelker, son, Randal Voelker, and daughter, Emma Voelker,
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always bumps, twists, and turns in the journey, and mine is no different. A mentor shared with me at a young age, 95% of this job can not be learned in a school. It can only be learn in practice. 5% of the role of a conductor is musical, but 95% is all about people. How to motivate, inspire, challenge, correct… the list goes on and on… My first position as Music Director was in Rochester, NY at age 19. Little did I know how much I had to learn, but I was bold enough to try anything, and inexperienced enough to think nothing of getting right back up after falling down. Over and over and over again. I always tell my conducting students today, take ownership of your errors and miss steps. Trust those that are following you to have your back too. You don’t have to have all of the answers all of the time. It is ok to be human and share your journey with the musicians you are working with. When you do, they will do the same, and together everyone will grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Soli Deo Gloria Choir began in 1973 to bring the community together. I accepted in the role of Artistic Director in 2017, and later added the role of Executive Director. For nearly 30 years I have been teaching, conducting, and directing in a variety of roles with students 6 – 93 years old. If you were to ask any of those individuals what I am known for, or specialize in, they would say, somehow bringng fun to an environment that pushes and challenges the musicians to achieve greater results than they thought possible. I am most proud of cultivating a multi generational community built on mutual respect and trust. I have been told that, that, sets me apart, but… I genuinely hope that it will less and less over time. My quote that has become the mantra of SDG Choir is, “with every voice, we are one song.” THat is what is truly magical about choral music, but my hope is that humanity discovers that to be true in every facet of life. When we are one song, we all thrive beyond our potential as individuals.
What does success mean to you?
Bringing joy to others as we grow together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SoliChoir.org
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@solideogloriacoloradosprin4697
