Born in 1954, Paul Nasto holds a degree in Music Education from Montclair State College (now Montclair State University) in New Jersey and a Master of Music Composition from George Mason University.
Paul was a New Jersey resident for forty years composing and performing every genre of music. During his time in and around the New York music scene, he composed, recorded, and produced radio jingles and commercials, performed as a back-up singer on locally and nationally advertised commercials, performed as a soloist and as part of a choral group throughout New York and New Jersey, and accompanied various artists. His background also includes performing as a solo pianist and performing piano with various groups at many New York and New Jersey jazz/night clubs, where he made a name for himself as a jazz pianist while performing with an 18 piece 1940’s style swing band.
Paul studied composition with Dr. John Girt, Dr. Deka Newland, Professor Steve Antosca, and Dr. Glenn Smith, and conducting with Mr. David Randolph, the former conductor of the New Jersey MasterWorks Choir and Mr. Leon Hyman, conductor and cofounder of The New Philharmonic of New Jersey. Paul's conducting education includes master classes with some of the world's renowned conductors.
In 1995, Paul moved to Virginia where he has focused on composing. His compositions span various idioms and styles and he calls upon his varied background to give traditional music a modern sound. Paul has moved from composing and the piano keyboard to composing at the computer keyboard. For the past 10 years, however, Paul has been focused on being a mucical director and conductor at local and regional theatres performing many of the most famous Broadway musicals.
In 2007, Paul completed work to achieve a Master of Music in Composition. Since then he has actively been working on a new musical, The Count, with writing partner David Whitehead. This new show has just been released and will be appearing in theatres shortly.
Paul is an active member of many local community theater group, where he focuses on all aspects of musical and technical production. In July, 2002, he wrote the musical Let Me Sing (with Susan Devine) which had its regional premier in Fairfax, VA, and its national premier at The National Theatre in Washington, DC.
Paul's recent music director and conductor credits include
In 2010, the Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of CHICAGO won the Ruby Griffith award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical and Paul won the Little Theatre of Alexandria's 2010 award for BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR and the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) 2010 award for BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR.
In 2011, Paul was nominated for the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) 2011 award for BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR for the musical NINE and the again in 2013 fir CHORUS LINE.
In 2012, Paul composed a new orchestra for the Kander and Ebb musical FLORA, THE RED MENACE (their frist mucial collaboration). This work was premiered at 1st Stage to rave reviews
In 2013, Paul was vote one of DC Theatre Metro Arts favorite Music Director and in 2014 DC Theatre Metro Arts vote him one of the Best Music Directors of the year.
Paul recently won the 2014 WATCH BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR award for his work on the Little Theatre of Alexandria production of SPAMALOT (which was nominated and won for BEST MUSICAL).
Paul was an adjunct professor at George Mason University where he taught Music and Computer Technology. Paul volunteers his time at a number of local and national organizations and is an active member of the local theatre organizations.
In 2015 Paul plans to return to composing and hopes the have his new works performed soon after.
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