Recognised internationally as an advocate for decolonising music education, Nate Holder works as a consultant and speaker within the music education sector, tackling bias and under-representation in teaching resources, departments, organisational boards.
In his new role, Holder will work with students at the Royal Northern College of Music each year on core Music in Context modules addressing current issues in music, as well as Music Education modules across all undergraduate, postgraduate and popular music programmes.
After teaching and performing in Germany for several years, Nate Holder completed a Master’s in Music Performance at Kingston University, graduating in 2017 with First Class Honours and an award for outstanding achievement. For the past decade he has also performed and recorded worldwide with artists including Ed Sheeran, Ghetts, Zoe Birkett and KOKOROKO. His published books include Where are all the Black Female Composers?, Where are all the instruments? and Why is My Piano Black and White?.
He said: ‘I’m excited to start in this new role, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the students and staff at the RNCM over the next few years. I’m hoping that together, we will be able to centre students’ voices and expand their ideas about what music education can look like for every individual.’
Jennie Henley, RNCM Director of Programmes, added: ‘We’re all looking forward to welcoming Nate as our first International Chair in Music Education. The RNCM is committed to improving equality, diversity and inclusion within the sector and I know that our staff and students are excited to see what we’ll explore and discover during his three-year tenure.’
