Interview with Nathan Amaral, Winner of the 2024 Sphinx Competition

By Samuel Thompson: In a day when winners of musical competitions typically begin their studies as young as age 3, Nathan Amaral started learning the violin at age 12. Not only that, but his studies began in an area of Brazil where music lessons were not the norm and where one violin might be (and was) shared by five other students. But with encouragement and support from teachers and a great deal of personal persistence, Nathan (pronounced "Na-TAN") grew into the kind of musician whose whole-hearted performances and deeply personal approach to music-making have captivated audiences - and yes, won competitions. His performances have garnered Nathan both first and special prizes in many competitions including the CIMA International Competition, Wiener Klassik Pries in Vienna, the Ruggiero Ricci Violin Competition and, most recently, the Robert Frederick Smith Prize as winner of the 27th annual Sphinx Competition. "What we do as artists is something very precious and vulnerable, and the people who understand that are the ones who connect to my music-making, which leads to truly genuine interactions," Nathan said. Nathan, who is now 28, currently lives in Boston, where he studies with Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory. During his time in January at the Sphinx Competition, he impressed audience, jury and colleagues alike. "Nathan’s interaction with the orchestra was amazing," said San Antonio Philharmonic assistant concertmaster Rainel Joubert, who served as concertmaster of the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra during this year’s competition. "We could all tell how much of a genuine person he was, right away. As soon as he started playing, we knew he was special: I felt every ounce of his artistry poured into every phrase. He was, from the beginning, committed to the music-making process." BELOW: Nathan's performance of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto in G minor, I. Allegro Maestoso, from the 27th Annual Sphinx Competition Finals Concert: I had the pleasure of speaking with Nathan three days after the competition and remain inspired by his generosity of spirit. "I am truly grateful for the amount of love and the kind messages that I have received from friends, colleagues, and former teachers," Nathan told me. "I was not aware of the amount of recognition and worldwide reach available through Sphinx, and I am very honored that people are following me on social media and appreciating the work that I do." Born in the Mangueria favela of Rio de Janiero, Nathan was introduced to the violin through unexpected circumstances. "I was 12 years old, and a stranger knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to play the violin." Despite his initial hesitation, Nathan’s mother insisted that he try, as she understood the value of higher education and exposure to something outside the sports culture that pervades the nation. Classes at the Cultural Center Cartola were initially complicated. "There were about 50 students in my class, with one teacher and only ten violins that we had to share, so no one was able to practice individually at home," he said. Fortunately, his first teacher saw that Nathan had some natural facility and taught Nathan privately at no cost for four years. After that project ended, however, Nathan had to give up the violin for 10 months. "That was the saddest time in my life," he said. Nevertheless, fortune favored Nathan as another teacher encouraged him to continue playing. That required monthly nine-hour bus trips for week-long stays. When asked about the levels of support and resources available to young artists across the globe, Nathan spoke quite candidly. "I think the amount of support for education in Europe and in America is probably higher than anywhere else," Nathan said. "In Brazil, the young students struggle to practice because they have to share their time with other things that don't allow them to practice as much. Many students also work in places to support their own studies, but some of those situations actually take away the time needed to practice and improve. In contrast, at the New England Conservatory, they have such a huge structure that offers young musicians the support and space to do their best without worrying about mere survival." It was upon entering university that Nathan’s commitment was met with even greater access to high-level musical education and a global outlook. While studying in Sao Paulo, Nathan became involved with the Ilumina Festival, an initiative started in 2015 to give world-class opportunities to talented young artists from diverse and under-resourced backgrounds. It was through Ilumina that he met 1998 Sphinx Competition winner Tai Murray and became interested in participating in the Sphinx Competition. The violin has taken Nathan across the globe, from Rio and Sao Paulo to Austria for studies at the Salzburg Mozarteum and Berlin before coming to the United States. Highlights of recent seasons include his debut as soloist with the Chineke! Orchestra at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London’s Southbank Centre and on tour, and an upcoming debut concerto album on Decca Records. He has also been the subject of a documentary on his life titled Music from the Favela. Now, with a continuously growing concert schedule, Nathan looks at the future in a very balanced way. "While I am excited about the future, I first need to stay focused on my studies and graduate. So, the agenda will be tight for this next year," Nathan said. "Between April and July, I will return to Brazil for performances with orchestras in Sao Paulo, Rio and Minas Gerais. There are also concerts in Europe as well, and soon there will be engagements from the Sphinx Prize." In 2021, Nathan founded his own festival, Week of Musical Integration, to support and teach young musicians from difficult backgrounds in Brazil. When thinking of his own experiences and those he is creating for his community, he reflects on his journey and shares some advice: "Try to find the people who have the same passions as you - will support each other and grow together. This is my mindset now," he said. "The most important thing to me is to be surrounded by good, positive people whose principles are aligned with yours and are willing to make music at the highest level and with their full-hearted commitment." "People worldwide want to find the right community to support them," he said. "The amount of inspiration that the kids from Brazil – and every other country that wrestles with diversity issues – are getting from knowing about Sphinx definitely lets them know that they are capable as well." You might also like:

• Interview with Violinist Njioma Grevious, Winner of the 2023 Sphinx Competition
• Interview with Violinist Rubén Rengel, Winner of 2018 Sphinx Competition
• Sphinx Competition: Building a Life and Career in Music

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