ABOUT THE TEACHER
Nathan Bird BMus PGCE MISM
I began playing the piano when I was in primary school after being inspired by our music teacher, John Henshaw. At GCSE and A-Level I studied music and the piano under various teachers, including Shelia Philp and Rachel Burland, before choosing to study music at Cardiff University in 2011.
Whilst at Cardiff University I studied the organ with Robert Court and participated in several university ensembles, including the Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra and the Cardiff University Symphony Chorus. I graduated in July 2014 with a degree in music. In 2016 I completed a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Cardiff Metropolitan University, specialising in music (secondary).
I have been an active musician in South Wales since 2012. I previously held the position of organist at Christ Church, Pant (Merthyr Tydfil) from August 2012-April 2015. I was also the Musical Director of The Tydfil Singers (formally Merthyr Tydfil Ladies Choir) from 2013-2017. Since April 2015, I have been the Director of Music at St Augustine's Church, Rumney, where I oversee the musical life of the church. I have greatly improved the musical standard of the choir, launching a successful choristership scheme for young people that has been running since 2017. In 2021 I oversaw the installation of the new digital organ at St Augustine's. In June 2024 I was awarded the Archbishop of Wales Award for Church Music, for my significant contribution to church music.