Nathaniel Strawbridge is a graduate of the University of South Florida, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He teaches general music at Crestwood Elementary School in Hillsborough County, in Tampa Florida, and is an Adjunct World Drumming and Music Education Professor at the University of Tampa. At Crestwood, Nathaniel’s fifth grade World Drumming Ensemble has been featured regionally and nationally with performances at the 16th Annual, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents,(ALAS), Education Conference, (2019), The Gasparilla Music Festival, (2018 & 2017), Conga Caliente Hispanic Art and Cultural Festival, (2016-Present), Florida Music Educator’s Association Professional
Development Conference, (2014 & 2007), the National Association of Elementary School Principals Convention and Exposition, (2011), and the Council of the Great City Schools,“The Nations Voice of Urban Education,” 54th Annual Conference, (2010).

Nathaniel is a composer, arranger, transcriber, performer, drum circle facilitator, workshop clinician, consultant, and teacher mentor. He has presented original workshops to teachers on the regional, state, and
national levels. Nathaniel has also presented comprehensive World Drumming clinics at The University of South Florida, The University of Tampa, The University of Florida, Florida Southern College, and Florida Atlantic University. Nathaniel enjoys leading student and community groups of all ages and backgrounds in “drum circle experiences,” which, in the drum circle setting, guides participants through a “musical
journey” of expression, collaboration, and improvisation.

Additionally, during the summer, Nathaniel offers classes in World Drumming to underprivileged youth at multiple Boy’s and Girls Youth Clubs in Polk County, as well as, teaches World Drumming to over one hundred
middle and high school students at music camps hosted at the University of Tampa and Florida Southern College. Nathaniel continues to actively perform as a freelance trumpet player and hand percussionist. He is a sit-in member of the Americana band, “Unpainted Souls,” and funkpop cover band, “Juan Love,” which is made up of a tight-knit group of music teachers from Hillsborough County, in Tampa Florida. Nathaniel has also participated in several collaborative performances with the University of South Florida iPad Ensemble, including the NAfME National In-Service Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, (October, 2014), and TEDx Tampa Bay,
“Exploring the Past, Embracing the Future,” 2013 Conference, (October, 2013). In 2011, Nathaniel developed a comprehensive K-5 Drumming Curriculum entitled, “Drumming and Grooving: A World Drumming Experience for the Life-Long Learner, which he continues to
adapt and regularly present to music educators each year. Nathaniel holds his Level 3 World Music Drumming certification and concentrates his area of focus on the music of West Africa and Latin America.

He is a two-time Hillsborough County “Teacher of The Year” nominee,
(2013 & 2009), a three-time Ida. S. Baker Minority Educator of the Year Award nominee, (2018, 2006, 2004), the 2009 University of South Florida Clarion Society “Teacher of the Year,” and the 2015, Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educator of the Year. Nathaniel is a three-time conductor of the Hillsborough County Honor’s World Drumming Ensemble, and on multiple occasions, has served as guest conductor for both the Pinellas and Polk County, Honors Mallet and Drum Ensembles.

Notable Workshop Titles: “Drumming & Grooving: A World Drumming Experience for the Life-Long Learner.”Hillsborough County Schools Teacher Inservice Training. Tampa, Florida, (September 2019) “Drumming & Grooving:” The Drum Circle Experience. Florida Music Educator’s Association. Conference Workshop, Tampa, Florida. (January, 2019) “Drumming & Grooving: “The Drum Circle Experience! Eagle’s Landing Middle School Spring Tour Choral Workshop – The University of Tampa in
Tampa, Florida. (April 2018) “Drumming Around with Nate Strawbridge” World Drumming Professional Development Inservice, Alachua County, Gainsville Florida (April, 2017) “Drumming & Grooving: A World Drumming Experience for the Life-Long Learner.” Multi- Cultural Network Summer Workshop, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, Florida (June 2016) “Drumming & Grooving: “The Drum Circle Experience! Southwood Middle School Spring Tour Choral Workshop – The University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. (February 2015, 2017, 2019) “Drumming & Grooving: “The Drum Circle Experience!” FAAE Careers in the Arts Workshop – The University of Florida, (March, 2015) “Drumming & Grooving:” A Collaboration of Learning. Florida Music Educator’s Association. Conference Workshop,
Tampa, Florida. (January, 2015) “Classroom Management: Implementation and Continuous Application,” The University of Tampa, (October, 2015), “Creating Performance Arrangements and Forms,” Florida Music Educator’s Association. Pre- Conference workshop, Tampa, Florida (January, 2009)