We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nathaniel McClellan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nathaniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Most recently, one of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is founding Lake Community Arts here in Lake County, Florida.
Lake County is located just west of Orlando, and while you can find at least 5 big community choirs in Orlando, nothing like that really existed for Lake County. I first envisioned the organization as a community choir around 2010, but never acted upon it. Then, in February 2025, I decided to go through the process of starting the organization, obtaining a 501(c)(3), and all the fun that goes along with that process. Then, I assembled a Board of Directors from performing arts and music education leaders in the community.
August of 2025 was the real test to see how the newly-founded Lake Community Arts would turn out as we began rehearsals for our first first program: Lake Community Choir. We expected about 50 to show up at the first rehearsal, but when we actually ended up 100 singers, we knew were onto something special.
It was hard work at first, for sure. Out of those 100 singers, we had a great mix of folks who were music teachers, professionals, some with church choir experience, and some who had never sung in an ensemble before in their entire lives. I loved that. That was exactly why I started the organization, to create a space where all could perform, no experience or audition needed. Just come and make music with us.
In fact, I’d like to take a minute to elaborate on that further. Creating a community performing arts organization and a community choir and create a platform where all can perform is my own personal belief on how an organization like this should operate. In the planning stages, the idea of community is just a concept. When it happens in front of you in real time, that’s a gamechanger. What I’ve seen this first season together has been incredible. Some specific examples: A married couple, who first met in their collegiate choir decades ago, singing alongside their 15 year old grandson. Parents singing together with their adult and teenaged children. A woman, at 80, singing in the soprano section next to her daughter. A man at 63 and a teenager at 15 both performing in their very first choir concert ever. It’s been lifechanging. And this is just the start.
When the day of our inaugural winter concert came, I was a little nervous. Logistics and music and all the things that come with planning, producing, and directing a concert with a 100+ voice choir. But the nerves subsided. The excitement of doing something new took over. The energy from the choir was incendiary. They were locked in like I had never seen. It was unbelievable. Then, to find out we had an audience of 800 waiting for us to perform? Indescribable.
Every moment like this in your organization’s first year is its own historic milestone that you get to be a part of and remember. That’s truly special. With nearly 1,000 in the Clermont Performing Arts Center that night, we all got to experience that milestone together. That’s the magic of the performing arts and community organizations. They have the ability to create experiences like this for everyone to enjoy.
Since that day, we have launched our children’s choir, called Children Sing!, and we also just finished up our first summer camp. The Lake Community Choir summer choir season just kicked-off and we’re looking forward to launching the Lake Community Arts Concert Band this August. And that’s just the beginning. With more performance opportunities for children and youth in the works, visual arts, and theater planning underway, Lake Community Arts hasn’t even begun to begin. Stay tuned.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Nathaniel “Chad” McClellan, a nonprofit arts leader, conductor, music educator, and community builder based in Central Florida. For more than 20 years, I’ve dedicated my career to creating opportunities for people of all ages to experience the transformative power of music and the performing arts.
My journey began as a choir director and public school music educator. From an early point in my career, I realized that while I loved teaching music itself, what truly inspired me was the sense of community that music creates. I saw firsthand how singing and performing could help people gain confidence, build friendships, and discover a sense of belonging.
Over the years, my career evolved out of the classroom into nonprofit leadership, artistic direction, and community arts development. I’ve had the privilege of serving as Director of A Gift for Music, a nonprofit organization that provides free string music education to children, while also leading numerous community choirs and arts organizations throughout Central Florida.
Most recently, I founded Lake Community Arts, a comprehensive performing arts organization serving Lake County and the surrounding communities. Our mission is simple: to make the arts accessible, welcoming, and impactful for everyone. Through programs like Lake Community Choir, Children Sing!, our Concert Band, and future educational initiatives, we’re creating spaces where people can connect through shared artistic experiences.
What sets my work apart is that I don’t view the arts as a luxury or an extracurricular activity. I view them as essential tools for building stronger communities. Whether I’m working with a child holding a violin for the first time, an adult returning to music after decades away, or a retiree looking for a creative outlet, my goal is always the same: to create an environment where people feel seen, valued, and inspired.
I often joke that my career path has allowed me to wear every hat imaginable. I’ve been a teacher, conductor, executive director, fundraiser, executive board member, program developer, and event organizer. That diverse experience has given me a unique perspective on how arts organizations can thrive and truly serve their communities. I understand both the artistic side and the operational side of building sustainable organizations.
The thing I’m most proud of isn’t a specific concert or award, it’s the communities we’ve built. I’ve watched strangers become lifelong friends through choir. I’ve watched young students grow into confident adults. I’ve watched people who never thought they could sing stand on stage in front of hundreds of audience members with pride and joy. I’ve watched parents sing alongside their children. Grandparents sing alongside their grandchildren. Those moments remind me why this work matters.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s that I believe the arts belong to everyone. You don’t have to be a professional musician to deserve a place in an artistic community. Some of the most meaningful experiences happen when people simply decide to show up, take a chance, and create something together.
My brand, if you can call it that, is centered around accessibility, inclusivity, and connection. I’m passionate about removing barriers to participation and creating spaces where everyone, from children to older adults, beginners to experienced performers, can discover the joy of making music together.
At the end of the day, I’m not just producing concerts or running organizations. I’m helping build communities. Music just happens to be the vehicle that brings us all together.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is witnessing the connections that form between people through the arts. Music has an incredible ability to bring together individuals from different generations, backgrounds, and experiences and create a sense of belonging that is hard to find anywhere else. Whether I’m conducting a choir, building a community arts organization, or creating educational opportunities for young people, the greatest reward is seeing someone discover confidence, joy, and a deeper sense of purpose through making music with others. Those moments, when a child realizes they’re capable of more than they imagined, or when a group of strangers becomes a true community, are a powerful reminder that the arts don’t just entertain us; they have the ability to transform lives.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes. My mission is to make the arts accessible, welcoming, and meaningful for everyone. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how music can change lives, build confidence, and create lasting connections between people, regardless of their age, background, or experience level. That belief drives everything I do, from leading nonprofit organizations to founding Lake Community Arts and directing community ensembles. My goal is to remove barriers to participation and create spaces where people feel empowered to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and experience a true sense of belonging. Ultimately, I hope to help build stronger, more connected communities by making the arts something people don’t simply attend, but something they actively participate in and carry with them throughout their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LakeCommunityArts.org
- Instagram: @LakeCommunityArts
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/lakecommunityarts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielmcclellan/
