Blog – Page 2 – Nathan Montgomery

n8monti March 22, 2019November 29, 201924, Birthday, Growth, Learning, Reflection

24 things i have learned in my 24 years of life

Yesterday was my 24th birthday. I have been taking some time to reflect about some of the important things I have learned during my life so far. Here are 24 life lessons in no particular order: Good food and good company will always bring joy. Calling your parents regularly will keep all of you sane. Always wear a smile when meeting new people. There are always connections to be made. Keep technology away from the dinner table, it’s precious face … Continue reading “24 things i have learned in my 24 years of life”

n8monti March 20, 2019May 16, 2020Beans, Cooking, Food, Greens, Italian-American, Parsley, Pork, Recipe, Red Pepper, Tomatoes

Cooking Catharsis: A Pasta Recipe!

Food is unifying. Everyone needs it to live. Everyone can enjoy it. Besides enjoying eating (which I certainly do), the next step is to understand how to cook and provide for ourselves. We start with recipes, but where do they come from? The most fundamental recipes of any cuisine have been passed down from generation to generation, sometimes in writing, sometimes by word of mouth and physical demonstration. This recipe comes from the latter: I come from a large Italian-American … Continue reading “Cooking Catharsis: A Pasta Recipe!”

n8monti March 19, 2019November 29, 2019Analysis, Brain Science, Brain Waves, Bulletproof, Creating, Creativity, Education, Exercise, Flow, Improvement, Improvisation, Musician, Musicians, Practice, Students

Why All Creators Should Practice Improvisation

Improvisation can be an intimidating word. How can you create something from nothing? Like anything, all it takes is some practice. I recently read an article on The Bulletproof Musician blog entitled Why Improvisation Should Be Part of Every Young Musician’s Training. I couldn’t agree more. The article details a scientific study where they analyzed the differences in brain activity when musicians play memorized passages compared to when they improvise. The results found that “a region of the top front … Continue reading “Why All Creators Should Practice Improvisation”

n8monti March 19, 2019November 29, 2019Christchurch, Empathy over Apathy, Eric Conti, Hate Crimes, Islamophobia, Privilege, Reflection, Self-Awareness, Terrorism

An Open Letter From My Uncle: Examining Our Privilege in the Aftermath of the Christchurch Terror Attack

It is hard to accept the hate that exists in the world, but it is always important that we face crises with our eyes wide open. We must examine why hate occurs and how we can help combat it. The following is a letter written by my uncle Eric Conti, Superintendent of Burlington School District in Burlington, MA. I share these words out of admiration for his clarity, empathy, and vulnerability: Eric M. Conti, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools March … Continue reading “An Open Letter From My Uncle: Examining Our Privilege in the Aftermath of the Christchurch Terror Attack”

n8monti March 18, 2019November 29, 2019Art, Arts, Community, Community-Building, Contribute, Dance, Listen, Make Your Voice Heard, Music, podcast, project, Radio

Another Podcast Project Update!

Is community important to you? Do you you consume art or music or any form of media? I want to hear your voice! I am still accepting audio submissions for my podcast! Visit my project page on this website for more information. I want to generate a diverse and inclusive conversation about the value arts bring to improving our communities! The initial questions are: How do you choose to interact with your community? Is art important? Why or why not? … Continue reading “Another Podcast Project Update!”

n8monti March 17, 2019November 29, 2019Boiler House Jazz Series, Charles River, Concert, Doyeon Kim, Experience, Free Improvisation, Joe Morris, Live, Macrocosm, Massachusetts, Museum of Industry and Innovation, Music, Review, Waltham, Wholeness

Concert Review: Joe Morris and DoYeon Kim Illuminate the Boiler House Jazz Series

Macrocosm. Defined by the Oxford dictionary as “the whole of a complex structure, especially the world or the universe, contrasted with a small or representative part of it.” This is how Joe Morris and DoYeon Kim define the music that they create together. On Thursday, March 14th I had the sincere pleasure of experiencing a very special musical interaction between these two thoughtful and innovative artists that left me with a feeling of wholeness. Together they played an hour of … Continue reading “Concert Review: Joe Morris and DoYeon Kim Illuminate the Boiler House Jazz Series”

n8monti March 16, 2019November 29, 2019#Skills, Education, Encouragement, Family, first time, Guitar, Learning, New, Reflection

All Journeys Have to Start Somewhere

Is there something in your life that you have always wanted to try but haven’t had the chance too? There is still time! Starting something new is a challenge and can be intimidating, but learning can happen at any age. I was inspired today by two new guitar students. A father and son. The father bought a guitar a decade ago but never really had the time to learn. He recently dusted it off, determined to start again. His love … Continue reading “All Journeys Have to Start Somewhere”

n8monti March 14, 2019November 29, 2019Africa, Artist, First, Gnawa, Gnawa master, Morocco, Woman Artist

Artist Spotlight: Asmâa Hamzaoui

It is always an accomplishment to be the first one to do something. Usually this requires a lot of character, courage, and creativity. Asmâa Hamzaoui embodies these traits. She is the first and only woman Gnawa master in the world. She also leads the only all women’s Gnawa group in existence. I discovered her on instagram and was immediately captivated by this video: Gnawa (also spelled Gnaoua) music is indigenous to Morocco. It is the product of West African rhythms … Continue reading “Artist Spotlight: Asmâa Hamzaoui”

n8monti March 14, 2019November 29, 2019Basics, Beginners, Blocks, Building, diads, Explanation, Music, octave, Theory, triads

The Building Blocks of Music for Beginners

Are you a musician who has a hard time explaining music theory to non-musicians? Are you a music student who wants to improve your music theory skills? Are you a non-musician who wants to know what your musician friend are talking about? Keep reading. Whether or not you study music or not, the words “music theory” might make you cringe. Getting into the technical aspects of any study can be complicated and tedious. If you were a music major you … Continue reading “The Building Blocks of Music for Beginners”

n8monti March 13, 2019November 29, 2019Priorities

Priorities

I have to keep things brief tonight. Some days you can’t do it all. Sometimes you have to put family and health before work. Sometimes taking care of yourself is enough. Every day is an opportunity to plan and act and to define and redefine our priorities. Tomorrow is a new day.