About
About Nathan
Session Guitarist · Singer · Theatre Creator · Musical Director · Guitar Coach
Redefine Magazine
Best Rock Album — Here's To The Now
South African Music Awards
SAMA Nominee — Here's To The Now
South African Music Awards · 2× Winner
Best Adult Contemporary Album & International Achievement — Ndlovu Youth Choir · "Africa"
America's Got Talent
Finalist — Ndlovu Youth Choir
Dutch National TV · NPO
Featured cover — Radar Love
Hollywood Music and Media Award · 2019
Award Winner — Ndlovu Youth Choir · "Shape of You"
Biography
A lifetime of music
Nathan Smith picked up his first guitar at the age of eleven and never looked back. What began as a teenage obsession grew into a career that has taken him from local stages to some of the most-watched television productions in the world.
Over the past two decades, Nathan has built a reputation as one of the most versatile and reliable session guitarists in the industry. His credits include principal guitar roles on The Voice, Idols, Strictly Come Dancing, and Dancing with the Stars — productions that demand both technical excellence and the ability to perform under pressure, live to millions.
Nathan has also established himself as a successful Musical Director and Guitar Director across multiple major productions. In this role he has led bands, arranged material for full ensembles, and shaped the overall musical direction of live shows — bringing the same precision and authority to the director's chair that he brings to the stage.
Beyond the studio and stage, Nathan has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning artists, lending his tone and feel to recordings that span multiple genres — from blues and rock to pop, soul, and country.
Nathan is also a compelling singer and an accomplished theatre creator and performer. He has written, produced, and starred in his own theatre productions — bringing together live music, song, and storytelling in performances that showcase the full breadth of his artistry, both as a musician and as a front-of-stage presence.
Teaching has always been a parallel passion. Nathan's approach — distilled into the Fast Track Guitar Coach method — is built around getting students playing real music as quickly as possible, without shortcuts that sacrifice long-term growth. He has taught students at every level, from first-time players to seasoned professionals looking to expand their musical vocabulary.
Broadcast credits
Seen on
Session guitarist, Guitar Director, and Musical Director across some of the world's most-watched live TV productions.
The Voice
Principal Guitarist
Idols
Principal Guitarist
Strictly Come Dancing
Live Band Guitarist
Dancing with the Stars
Live Band Guitarist
Press & Recognition
Accolades
Redefine Magazine
Best Rock Album
Nathan's debut album Here's To The Now was selected by Redefine Magazine in their Best Rock Album category.
South African Music Awards
SAMA Nominee
Here's To The Now received a South African Music Award nomination — one of the most prestigious music honours in the country.
Dutch National TV · NPO
Featured on NPO
Nathan's acoustic cover of Radar Love was singled out by Golden Earring as one of their favourite covers, earning him a feature on the Netherlands' longest-running national television station.
The Voice South Africa
Guitar Producer
Appointed as Guitar Producer by Musical Director James Bassingthwaite, Nathan arranged and pre-recorded all guitar parts for the production — and was described as the leading performing guitarist for the role.
Performed alongside
World-Class Artists
Nathan has shared the stage with Ronan Keating at the FNB Night of the Stars, and performed with Richard Clayderman — Guinness World Record holder for the world's most successful pianist.
Musical & Guitar Direction
Musical Director
Nathan has served as Musical Director and Guitar Director across multiple successful productions — leading bands, arranging full-ensemble material, and directing the musical vision of major live shows from rehearsal to opening night.
Hollywood Music and Media Award · 2019
Hollywood Award Winner
The Ndlovu Youth Choir's recording of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" — featuring Nathan's guitar work — won the 2019 Hollywood Music and Media Award, bringing international recognition to the project ahead of the choir's debut album release.
Brand Endorsements
Industry Endorsed
Nathan is an official endorsee of D'Addario strings, Clayton Picks, Sennheiser, and Marshall Music — recognition from some of the most respected names in the industry.
Bluesfest · Byron Bay, Australia
Bluesfest Performer
Personally selected by Grammy® Award-winning artist Wouter Kellerman to perform at Bluesfest — Australia's biggest music festival — sharing the bill with Santana, Jethro Tull, Bonnie Raitt, and The Doobie Brothers.
Gelredome · Arnhem, Netherlands
Stadium Lead Guitarist
Lead guitarist for The Queen Experience — a 40,000-capacity stadium tribute to Queen's music, performed to a live audience of 32,000 alongside a 60-piece orchestra and 50-piece choir. The show's success led to an annual touring residency across the Netherlands.
Royal Palace · The Netherlands
Royal Live
Nathan performed at Royal Live at the Royal Palace in The Netherlands — a milestone performance that led to a long-term European touring partnership with Wim Wigt Productions, booked annually since 2017.
Beyond the guitar
Singer & Theatre
Nathan's artistry extends well beyond the fretboard. As a singer and theatre creator, he brings the same dedication and passion to the stage that has defined his career as a musician.
Vocalist
Singer
Nathan is an accomplished vocalist, bringing the same musicality and feel to his singing that has made him one of the most sought-after guitarists in the industry. His voice complements his instrumental work seamlessly — whether delivering an intimate acoustic set, fronting a full band, or performing centre-stage in a theatre production.
Drawing on decades of experience performing across genres — from blues and rock to pop and soul — Nathan's vocals carry the depth and conviction of an artist who has truly lived the music.
Creator · Performer
Theatre Productions
As a theatre creator, Nathan writes, produces, and stars in original productions that put live music at the heart of the story. His theatre work fuses compelling narrative with performance, showcasing a dimension of his artistry that goes far beyond the recording studio or the TV stage.
Whether building a production from the ground up or stepping into the lead role, Nathan brings the same professionalism and creative vision that have distinguished him throughout his career.
Recommendations
Industry Voices
Mr Smith has always remained in my thoughts as one of the finest guitarists I have had the pleasure of working with — and I honestly believe that he would be an asset to the United Kingdom. Finding teachers and performers of Mr Smith's standard is difficult. We simply do not have enough musicians that possess the skills that Mr Smith displays.
Simon Tappin
Professional Musician & West End Musical Director · Simon Tappin Ltd
Letter of Recommendation — Arts Council England
Nathan's ability, commitment and temperament were appropriate for a large, high-stakes production. He was able to work under considerable pressure in an absolutely essential role — and delivered a top-level concert to a live audience of 32,000. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.
Dave Keech
Musical Supervisor · Keech Music Ltd
The Queen Experience — Gelredome Stadium, Arnhem · Letter of Recommendation — Arts Council England
Nathan is a consummate professional. His technique is brilliant, his sight reading is excellent and his knowledge of different styles and genres is superb. Of all the arrangements I have put in front of him, there was not one instance when he was not able to perform the part with complete aplomb. I can truly recommend Nathan without reservation — he is the complete package.
Mark Cheyne
Owner & Director · Aaross Music · Award-winning Musical Director & SAMA-nominated Producer, Johannesburg
10 years of collaboration · Letter of Recommendation — Arts Council England Global Talent Visa
Nathan is an excellent performer with a great stage presence. He was very well prepared — passionate and willing, reliable and punctual. Consistency proved true in the shows we did from there onward all over the world. Do I recommend Nathan Smith? Yes — without a doubt.
Wouter Kellerman
Flutist, Composer & Producer · Grammy® Award Winner · Billboard No. 1 Artist · 7-time SAMA Winner
Letter of Recommendation — Arts Council England Global Talent Visa · Bluesfest, Australia
Nathan is a very experienced, highly skilled musician with an understanding of performance and showmanship. He has wowed audiences throughout Europe with his world class performances and ability to connect with the people. Nathan Smith comes highly recommended from Wim Wigt Productions.
Ria Wigt
Director · Wim Wigt Productions Ltd · Croydon, Surrey
The Queen Experience European Tours (2017–present) · Letter of Recommendation — Arts Council England Global Talent Visa
Nathan's ability to apply his creative energy across a wide range of music projects demonstrates a highly musical, creative and versatile skill set. Nathan is dependable and extremely professional. I can confidently endorse Nathan for any musical or entertainment venture he may wish to pursue.
Ralf Schmitt
Co-Founder & Artistic Director · Ndlovu Youth Choir
Letter of Recommendation — Global Talent Visa · America's Got Talent Finalists · 2× SAMA Winners · Hollywood Music and Media Award 2019
32,000
Live audience — Gelredome, Arnhem
40,000
Stadium capacity — The Queen Experience
Annual
Netherlands touring residency — every year since
Musical range
Styles & Genres
Teaching
Fast Track Guitar Coach
Nathan's teaching philosophy is simple: get you playing the music you love, as quickly as possible, with a solid foundation that will serve you for life.
Learn more about lessons