INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK: Nathan Caldwell, Ocoee High School

Nathan Caldwell is the director of chorus, keyboard and AP Music Theory at Ocoee High School. This is his second year teaching, and he will be celebrating one year at Ocoee in January. He was voted as Ocoee High School Rookie of the Year for 2022-23. Recently, he was awarded the Morning Glow Teacher Impact Grant. “The students at Ocoee High School are exceptional and deserve top-of-the-line equipment in their pursuit of musical excellence,” he said. “Our keyboard lab needs a lot of love, and this grant will allow us to purchase sustain pedals and headphones.”

What brought you to your school?

I was a mid-year hire at Ocoee High. I grew up in Florida and interned with Orange County Public Schools, but life took me across the country for a bit. When I saw that a high school job had opened in Orange County, I interviewed, won the job and moved home. 

What do you love most about your school?

The students, of course! No matter how much I overwhelm them with sight reading or aural skills, they still teach me more than I could ever teach them. Every single day. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part has got to be when a piece of music finally comes together. After hours of practicing vocal techniques, writing in rhythm counts and solfège syllables, seeing students’ reactions when they realize how good they sound as a group is truly priceless. Nothing makes you feel like you belong more than being in perfect harmony with your peers.  

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?  

I have no idea. Building and directing choirs has been my dream for a very long time. That, and I have been teaching since I was 14 years old and a sensei at my parents’ martial arts studio. I love being a chorus director; I want to do this for a very long time.

Who influences you?  

As a teacher, I take the most influence from Mr. Justin Chase, from Lake Nona High School, and Mrs. Tabitha Peck, at Leon High School, in Tallahassee. Mr. Chase was my mentor teacher in college, and Mrs. Peck was my chorus and AP music theory teacher in high school. I feel like everything I teach is derived from Mrs. Peck, and the way I go about teaching it is inspired by Mr. Chase.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

My favorite teacher in high school was the late Mrs. Diane Chancy. She taught humanities at Leon High School and was the most interesting, inspiring, intimidating and intriguing teacher I ever had. Everyone knew not to mess with her, but they also knew that she had the most amount of love to give out of any teacher at that school. Stepping into her classroom felt like being welcomed home at the end of a long day.  

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is “Henry Hikes to Fitchburg” by D.B. Johnson. My mom grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and loved to tell my sister and me about it whenever she would read us this book as kids.  

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love being outside. Anything involving trails, trees and a sense of adventure. I also love spending quality time with close friends, exploring new music, arranging/composing my own music and cooking new recipes!  

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would love to get dinner with Robert Shaw, the former director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Shaw inspired many prominent conductors when they were younger and lit the fire of music in countless singers throughout his career. His work resulted in the renaissance of American choral music. I want to be like him when I grow up.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Teleportation. I spend way too much time driving every day. I somehow managed to put (more than) 174,000 miles on my poor little Toyota Camry that isn’t even a decade old!

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why?

My top three would be Hozier for his ingenious lyricism, Noah Kahan for how he tells stories through song and SZA for the vibes.

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student?

My go-to lunch and snack was a PB&J sandwich. Cut in triangles, not squares!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. The Florida air is cooler, my home is all decorated, I am surrounded by friends and family, and it all makes me feel very warm inside. As Frank Sinatra once sang: “It’s that time of year when the world falls in love.”

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend when I was in school is my friend, Avi. We met my junior year of high school in a production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and immediately became best friends. We went to college together, worked the same barista job, and have the almost exact same interests and tastes in music. We hang out every time I visit Tallahassee!

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I participated in all things related to singing and theater in high school. I was tenor section leader in a group similar to “Excalibur,” our after-school pop/a cappella choir at Ocoee High. I was also the vice president of our ITS troupe, the lead in the musical, you name it! I was an All-State Chorus student throughout high school and jumped at every opportunity to grow as a musician as I could. My dedication earned me scholarships from both my high school and my alma mater, Florida State University. Due to my grades, the volunteer hours and the skills I gained from singing in chorus, I won enough scholarships to not have to pay for my undergraduate degree. So parents, put your kids in chorus; they might get a free college education out of it!