Meet the New Students: Nathan Peebles

Nathan Peebles, from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2021 and studies horn with Jennifer Montone and Jeffrey Lang. With degrees from the Yale School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music, he is an active orchestral performer and previously served as a teaching artist for the Music in Schools Initiative with New Haven Public Schools. He shares his excitement for Curtis and Philadelphia—which won’t be dampened by uncooperative weather!

What was the last performance you participated in?

My last performance was an outdoor wedding celebration during the summer. It was my first professional service in over a year and it felt good to see people smiling in regards to the live music they heard.

Tell me about something interesting that took place during orientation?

Our beach trip to Ocean City was a memorable moment to say the least. After about five minutes on the sand, a torrential downpour ensued. We took shelter underneath the awning of a deep-frying joint and enjoyed each other’s company as we became completely soaked. The relaxing day we had envisioned didn’t come to fruition, but everyone made the best out of the situation and still enjoyed themselves.

What are you looking forward to most about attending Curtis and living in Philadelphia?

Working with the wonderful faculty and staff that are here to help realize my goals as a human and musician. (And also eating all the delicious food that Philly has to offer…)

While we are on the east coast, I still feel a somewhat Midwestern homey-ness here in Philadelphia. I’m really looking forward to getting to know this city better.

Are there any hobbies you’ve been able to focus on during the pandemic?

Just like everybody else during the pandemic, I started baking artisan bread. I eventually started working with sourdough and realized that my perfectionist ideals as a musician were both helping and hindering my journey to make beautiful and tasty loaves.

Can you share some fun facts?

My first car was a white 1989 Chevrolet Caprice which resembled a boat, my favorite book series is A Song of Ice and Fire (which I read after watching Game of Thrones), and I basically grew up in a national park (Cuyahoga Valley National Park).