A Tale of ‘Perseverance’ : Student Composer Nathan Pereda Debuts New Composition

By Missy Schrott | mschrott@alextimes.com

Composing music isn’t an easy way to make a living, but Northern Virginia Community College student Nathan Pereda might just have what it takes.

Pereda, 26, is beginning his third year at NOVA. During his time at the college, he’s written about 15 compositions, four of which have been performed by the NOVA Alexandria Band, an 80-member combined college and community ensemble. On Feb. 27, the band will perform one of the most difficult and time-intensive pieces Pereda has composed, “Le’oria, the City of Music,” at its annual children’s concert.

“He’s just on a different level,” Lisa Eckstein, conductor of the NOVA Alexandria Band and Pereda’s mentor, said. “He’s a really good composer. He’s going to make it. He’s going to be able to earn a living by composing.”

Getting to this point has been a bumpy ride for Pereda. While he’s always been passionate about playing and composing music, his journey has been spotted with highs and lows, challenged by his struggles with depression.

Until NOVA, Pereda was primarily a self-taught musician and composer. He grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia, where his natural talent was evident from a young age.

“My mother bought me one of those little pianos that are like two feet long with tiny keys, and I had a knack for playing melodies after hearing them,” Pereda said.

Pereda continued to play by ear and create his own melodies. It wasn’t until he joined the middle school band in seventh grade that he got his first formal training on the saxophone. Around the same time, Pereda started arranging and composing music for band and…Read complete Alexandria Times article

Pereda has played various instruments over the years, but his primary instruments are the French horn and piano. (Courtesy Photo)