Nathaniel Cook serves as Associate Principal Cello of the Fort Smith Symphony and maintains an active performing and recording career based in Houston, Texas
Nathaniel’s recording work includes two internationally released albums on Naxos Records with the Fort Smith Symphony under conductor John Jeter: Florence Price — Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4 and Louis Wayne Ballard — Devil’s Promenade / The Four Moons / Scenes from Indian Life. In 2024, he recorded with the Oklahoma Film Orchestra for the Celtic Woman 20th Anniversary Recording, contributing to the orchestral sessions for the internationally released album.
Nathaniel has appeared in large-scale concert productions with internationally recognized artists and media franchises including Andrea Bocelli, the Final Fantasy Concert Series, Disney’s Kingdom Hearts concert tour, and HBO’s Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience. His work also includes broadcast appearances, including a performance on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas as part of the Candlelight Concert series.  
He studied at Chapman University’s Conservatory of Music, where he worked with Roger Lebow, Jacob Braun, László Mező, and Lindsay Stortz. Nathaniel performs on a rare Italian cello from 1785.

Bio

My Approach 

Music is fundamentally collaborative, and my work is grounded in listening closely—to the musicians around me, to the conductor’s vision, and to the expressive possibilities within the music itself. 
Whether performing symphonic repertoire, recording, or collaborating on large-scale productions, my goal is always the same: to bring clarity, depth, and intention to every performance. 
I’m especially drawn to projects that expand the reach of orchestral music, bringing the sound of the cello into new and creative spaces.

Work

Performance & Recording Work

Nathaniel Cook performs across orchestral, chamber, recording, and touring productions, working with symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, and major concert productions throughout the United States.

    • Associate Principal Cello
      Fort Smith Symphony
      2024 – Present

    • Section Cello
      Fort Smith Symphony
      2017 - 2024

    • Section Cello
      East Texas Symphony Orchestra
      2020 – Present

    • Section Cello
      New Symphonia of Texas
      2026 – Present

    • Cavalle Quartet
      2021 – Present

    • Bishop Quartet
      2017 – Present

    • River Oaks Quartet
      2024 – Present

    • Rockestra
      2017 – Present

    • Listeso Music Group — Candlelight Concert Series
      2020 – Present

    • Classified Strings
      2017 – Present

    • Intensity Music Group
      2024 – Present

    • DFW Musician Services
      2017 – Present

    • Emily Burak Music
      2021 – Present

    • Buffi Jacobs Music
      2017 – Present

  • Celtic Woman — 20 (20th Anniversary)

    Oklahoma Film Orchestra
    Released 2024

    Role: Section Cello
    Contribution: Orchestral recording sessions

    Louis Wayne Ballard — Devil’s Promenade / The Four Moons / Scenes from Indian Life

    Fort Smith Symphony — Naxos Records

    Released 2023

    Role: Section Cello
    Tracks performed: 14

    Florence Price — Orchestral Works

    Fort Smith Symphony — Naxos Records

    Released 2019

    Role: Section Cello
    Contribution: Full orchestral album

  • Orchestral performances in major touring productions including:

    • Disney Kingdom Hearts Concert Tour
      2018 & 2019

    • Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience
      2018

    • Andrea Bocelli Concert Production
      2023

    • Final Fantasy Concert Series
      2025

    • Celtic Woman Tour
      2025

    • AT&T Performing Arts Center — Dallas, TX

    • Winspear Opera House — Dallas, TX

    • Texas Trust CU Theatre — Grand Prairie, TX

    • Bass Performance Hall — Fort Worth, TX

    • Segerstrom Center for the Arts — Costa Mesa, CA

    • House of Blues — Anaheim & Hollywood, CA

    Broadcast appearance:

    • WFAA Good Morning Texas — Dallas