Bio & Résumé

Use the links below to navigate my Bio & Résumé page. All listings are sorted by relevance in reverse chronological order.


Bio

Experience

Musical Theatre
Composition
Voice & Choral
Orchestral
Performance
Pianist
Organist
Sacred Music
Collegiate
Music Engraving

Education & Training

References


Bio

picture of R.J. Nestor

R.J. Nestor is a composer, lyricist, writer, music director, conductor, voice teacher, and accompanist based in Morgantown, West Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has composed incidental music for productions of Strindberg’s The Ghost Sonata, Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, and the Glitterati Productions Chicago premiere of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo. His classical compositions have been performed at venues in the United States and Europe. He is a member of Terza Prattica, a composers’ consortium dedicated to creating music that is both intelligent and accessible. He is composer-in-residence at First Presbyterian Church in Fairmont, WV, where he also serves as Minister of Music.

Mr. Nestor composed the music, wrote the lyrics, and collaborated with David Scoville to create the book for the new musical Love's Sick. Love's Sick revisits the "show-within-a-show" concept in a surprising new way, and explores the importance of communication in relationships. Mr. Nestor and Mr. Scoville are beginning work on a new musical which was conceived by Mr. Nestor and John Nasca, a Chicago-based producer and director who hired Mr. Nestor to compose the original music for the Chicago premiere of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo.

Mr. Nestor has music directed thirty-plus musicals over the past six years, including The Sound of Music with West Virginia Public Theatre, West Side Story at the Robert Morris University Colonial Theatre in Pittsburgh, and Bat Boy at West Virginia University. He has appeared onstage as “Lancelot” in Camelot and “Horton” in Seussical, among others.

Mr. Nestor served for two seasons as Interim and Associate Conductor of the North Pittsburgh Philharmonic, and he conducted the West Virginia University Community Arts Orchestra from 2002 - 2004.

Mr. Nestor maintains a private voice studio composed of high school and college students. He has taught nearly forty students since 2001, and was twice selected by outstanding high-school sophomore students as their most influential arts instructor when they were attending the West Virginia Governor's School for the Arts. He also is a professional piano accompanist, serving more than thirty West Virginia University voice students over the past three years.

Mr. Nestor holds an undergraduate degree in Music Composition and a graduate degree in Performance: Conducting, both from West Virginia University. He and his lovely fiancée Elisha will be married in early 2009.

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Experience: Musical Theatre

I have served as music director, conductor, or rehearsal pianist for 46 productions, which are listed below. Unless a production notes otherwise, I served as all three for that production.


West Virginia Public Theatre
Morgantown, West Virginia

I have music directed WVPT's last two Christmas shows, and served as rehearsal pianist for its last two summer seasons. I am slated to music direct next summer's production of West Side Story.



Robert Morris University Colonial Theatre
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Through my affiliation with Dr. Ken Gargaro at Pittsburgh Musical Theater, I was hired as music director for RMU Colonial Theatre productions.



West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

I have had a strong working relationship with the WVU Theatre Department since 2001 when I started composing original music for some of Prof. Jerry McGonigle's productions. See the West Virginia University listing under my compositions experience to see the productions for which I composed original music.



Theatre on the Lake
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

TOTL is a new professional summer theatre created by the director of the Preston High School program.



Morgantown Theatre Company
Morgantown, West Virginia

MTC is composed of students high-school-age and younger. They pay tuition each semester to participate; MTC produces several shows a year.



Preston High School
Kingwood, West Virginia

The theatre department at PHS produces two straight plays and two musicals per year.



M.T. Pockets Theatre Company
Morgantown, West Virginia

M.T. Pockets is dedicated to small or experimental works.



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Experience: Composition


Glitterati Productions
Chicago, Illinois

Original Music (August 2006 - March 2007)

The Chicago premiere of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo opened at Theatre Building Chicago on March 12, 2007, featuring my original music. I composed an overture, entr'acte, and bows/exit music, as well as scene change music. Visit my music page to hear the music. I am now collaborating with producer/director John Nasca, who hired me for Moon Over Buffalo, on a new musical theatre piece.


First Presbyterian Church
Fairmont, West Virginia

Composer-in-residence (January 2006 - present)

I compose new works for use in worship. In 2006 I composed two hymns, a psalm setting, large works for Palm Sunday and Christmas (for SATB choir, handbells, handchimes, and brass quintet), three choral anthems, a handbell piece, and a couple of arrangements based on existing hymns.


Professional Composer
Morgantown, West Virginia

Freelance Composer (1998 - present)

I include all my commissioned work in this category, as well as works I composed while a composition student of Dr. John Beall at West Virginia University. Works include Scriptures for Spain (2000), commissioned by Dr. Kathleen Shannon for the WVU University Choir's tour of Spain; Four Songs (2002), premiered at the November 2002 WVU New Music Concert; somewhere i have never travelled (2003), based on the e.e. cummings poem and again commissioned for the University Choir by Dr. Kathleen Shannon; and Song Without Words (2005) commissioned by my good friend Sarah Kingman for the Beaver Area High School String Orchestra in Beaver, Pennsylvania.


West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Incidental Music (2001 - present)

I have composed incidental music for three productions to date, It's a Wonderful Life (2001), The Ghost Sonata (2002), and The Winter's Tale (2005), all directed by WVU theatre professor Jerry McGonigle. We are discussing music for the upcoming 2008 production of Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle.

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Experience: Voice & Choral


Private Voice Studio
Morgantown, West Virginia

Private Voice Instructor (2001 - present)

I have taught thirty-five students over the past six years, aged from twelve through sixty-five. My primary focus is collegiate students, mostly theatre majors looking to develop their singing voices. See my voice lesson page for more information about my teaching philosophy and my programs and rates.


First Presbyterian Church
Fairmont, West Virginia

Minister of Music (July 1999 - present)

I rehearse and conduct the Chancel Choir and the Cambridge Bell Choir, and I serve as organist and pianist for all worship services as well as most weddings and funerals. I select all anthems and handbell pieces, as well as all preludes, postludes, offertories, and other service music. I select the hymns for many Sunday. I also manage the music budget and hire musicians for special services.


West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Graduate Assistant in Choral Music (January 2003 – May 2003)

As Dr. Kathleen Shannon's graduate assistant, I helped her prepare for rehearsal and performance, dealing with both logistical and artistic concerns.

Assistant Conductor: WVU Choral Union & University Choir (January 2003 – May 2003)

This was part of my duties as Dr. Kathleen Shannon's graduate assistant. I conducted both ensembles in rehearsal and performance.


Mountainaires Barbershop Chorus
Fairmont, West Virginia

Conductor (January - December 2002)

For one year I conducted the Clarksburg/Fairmont chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), the Mountainaires. I left the chorus due to a time conflict with my WVU Graduate Assistantship.

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Experience: Orchestral


North Pittsburgh Philharmonic
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Associate Conductor (August 2004 - August 2005)

I conducted summer and Christmas concerts, as well as two subscription concerts, featuring Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World") and the "Moldau" movement from Smetana's "Ma Vlast."

Interim Conductor (January 2004 - August 2004)

I filled in for NPP Music Director Roger Tabler while he completed course work toward his doctorate at West Virginia University. I conducted two spring concerts, featuring Hanson's Symphony No. 2, Copland's An Outdoor Overture, and the Adagietto movement from Mahler's Fifth Symphony.


WVU Community Arts Orchestra
Morgantown, West Virginia

Music Director and Conductor (2002 - 2004)

I selected repertoire and conducted the orchestra in rehearsal and performance. Works performed include Beethoven's Symphony No. 8, Ravel's Pavane pour une infante défunte, Rossini's Barber of Seville Overture, and Sibelius's Finlandia.


West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Guest Conductor (2002)

As a graduate student at WVU studying under the late Prof. Lawrence Christianson, I conducted Copland's Lincoln Portrait in two concerts. Prof. Christianson narrated.


First Presbyterian Church
Fairmont, West Virginia

Conductor: Fauré Requiem (October 2001)

I conducted Fauré's Requiem featuring the combined choirs of First Presbyterian and St. Peter's Catholic Church. The orchestration was John Rutter's re-creation of Fauré's original orchestration. I also conducted the Fauré Requiem in 2003 on my graduate conducting recital.

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Experience: Performance


Selected Stage Credits
Morgantown, West Virginia, et al

Selected Stage Credits (1995 - present)

"Lancelot" in Camelot
"Horton the Elephant" in Seussical
"Albert" in Bye Bye Birdie
"Rolf" in The Sound of Music
"Lamar" in Godspell
"Marryin' Sam" in Li'l Abner


Tenor / Baritone Soloist
Morgantown, West Virginia, et al

Vocal Soloist (1998 - present)

Barr: Magnificat (World Premiere)
Fauré: Requiem
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Nestor: Frost Songs

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Experience: Pianist


Professional Accompanist
Morgantown, West Virginia

Freelance Accompanist (2005 - present)

I have accompanied over forty voice students enrolled in the WVU voice department. I am hired to attend weekly lessons and rehearsals, and to play for juries at the end of semesters.


West Virginia Public Theatre
Morgantown, West Virginia

Rehearsal Pianist (2006 - present)

I serve as rehearsal pianist for WVPT's summer seasons. See my musical theatre experience for a list of productions.

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Experience: Organist


First Presbyterian Church
Fairmont, West Virginia

Minister of Music (July 1999 - present)

I rehearse and conduct the Chancel Choir and the Cambridge Bell Choir, and I serve as organist and pianist for all worship services as well as most weddings and funerals. I select all anthems and handbell pieces, as well as all preludes, postludes, offertories, and other service music. I select the hymns for many Sunday. I also manage the music budget and hire musicians for special services.


Professional Organist
Morgantown, West Virginia

Freelance Organist (January 1997 – present)

I have played about thirty weddings and a couple of funerals outside First Presbyterian. I have also served as organist or substitute organist for numerous services at about fifteen different churches in northern West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania, including Spruce St. United Methodist in Morgantown, WV, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran in Uniontown, PA, and the International Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton, WV.


Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
Grafton, West Virginia

Interim Organist (October 1998 - March 1999)

I played for all worship services in between music directors at the church where I grew up.

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Experience: Sacred Music


First Presbyterian Church
Fairmont, West Virginia

Minister of Music (July 1999 - present)

I rehearse and conduct the Chancel Choir and the Cambridge Bell Choir, and I serve as organist and pianist for all worship services as well as most weddings and funerals. I select all anthems and handbell pieces, as well as all preludes, postludes, offertories, and other service music. I select the hymns for many Sunday. I also manage the music budget and hire musicians for special services.

Composer-in-residence (January 2006 - present)

I compose new works for use in worship. In 2006 I composed two hymns, a psalm setting, large works for Palm Sunday and Christmas (for SATB choir, handbells, handchimes, and brass quintet), three choral anthems, a handbell piece, and a couple of arrangements based on existing hymns.


Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
Grafton, West Virginia

Interim Organist (October 1998 - March 1999)

I played for all worship services in between music directors at the church where I grew up.

Handchime Choir Director (September 1995 – May 1997)

I founded and conducted a youth handchime choir during my final two years in high school

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Experience: Collegiate


West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Adjunct Assistant Lecturer (2002 - 2004)

I taught Music Arranging: Public School, a course for music education majors. I developed the curriculum, created the materials, taught the class two days a week, and evaluated the students' progress . The final project was a full-scale arrangement which was recorded for the student by one of WVU's top ensembles.


Private Voice Studio
Morgantown, West Virginia

Private Voice Instructor (2001 - present)

I have taught thirty-five students over the past six years, aged from twelve through sixty-five. My primary focus is collegiate students, mostly theatre majors looking to develop their singing voices. See my voice lesson page for more information about my teaching philosophy and my programs and rates.


Professional Accompanist
Morgantown, West Virginia

Freelance Accompanist (2005 - present)

I have accompanied over forty voice students enrolled in the WVU voice department. I am hired to attend weekly lessons and rehearsals, and to play for juries at the end of semesters.

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Experience: Music Engraving


Music Theatre International
New York, New York

Commissioned Engraver (2005)

I was hired by Karl Gallmeyer to professionally engrave (using music software) Jonathan Tunick's full orchestration of Sondheim's Company and the piano-vocal score for Sondheim's Assassins.


Professional Engraver
Morgantown, West Virginia

Freelance Engraver (2005 - 2006)

I was hired to professionally engrave scores. Time constraints prevented me from continuing to work as a professional engraver.

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Education & Training


West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

Master of Music, Performance: Conducting (2003)

While completing my Masters in conducting (orchestral emphasis), I studied with the late Prof. Lawrence Christianson, with Dr. Kathleen Shannon, and with Prof. Don Wilcox.

Bachelor of Science, Music Composition (2001)

I studied composition with Dr. John Beall. Voice was my primary instrument, and I studied with Prof. Peter Lightfoot.


Private Lessons
Morgantown, West Virginia, et al

Voice (1989 - 2007)

Prof. Rebecca Turner (2007)
Prof. Peter Lightfoot (1997 – 2001)
Anne Brickey (1994 – 1997)
Dr. Cynthia Dewey (1991 – 1993)
Duretha Mayle (1989 – 1990)

Piano (1985 - 1999)

Dr. Christine Kefferstan (1998 – 1999)
Prof. Carol Beall (1997 – 1998)
Catherine Crotty (1992 – 1997)
Duretha Mayle (1989 – 1991)
Idaline Dillon (1985 – 1988)

Composition (1997 - 2001)

Dr. John Beall (1997 – 2001)

Conducting (2000 - 2003)

Dr. Kathleen Shannon (2003)
Prof. Lawrence Christianson (2000 – 2003)
Prof. Don Wilcox (2002)

Organ (1996 - 1998)

Dr. William Haller (1996 – 1998)

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References

There is no contact information listed with my references because I didn't want to broadcast their emails and phone numbers to anyone who visits this page. If you would like contact information for any of my references, please contact me.


Dr. Kathleen Shannon

Associate Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
College of Creative Arts
West Virginia University


Dr. Ken Gargaro

Founding Director
Pittsburgh Musical Theater


Dr. John Beall

Professor of Composition
Composer-in-Residence
Division of Music
College of Creative Arts
West Virginia University


Jerry McGonigle

Associate Professor of Acting and Directing
Mabel DeVries Tanner Professor of Theatre
Division of Theatre and Dance
West Virginia University


Rebecca Turner

Associate Professor of Music
Converse College (Spartanburg, SC)


Laura Hitt

Associate Professor of Voice and Speech
Division of Theatre and Dance
College of Creative Arts
West Virginia University


Rev. Norman E. "Gene" Lassiter

Indiantown Presbyterian Church
Hemingway, South Carolina


Dr. John Schooley

Professor of Music
School of Fine Arts
Fairmont State University


Dr. Harry Faulk

Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
New River Community and Technical College


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