Nathaniel Dett Fellowship
St. Martin’s Chamber Choir aims to remove barriers to ensure every musician and singer can have their voice heard.
The SMCC Nathaniel Dett Fellowship provides an opportunity for African American, Latin American, Asian American, and Native American singers early in their musical career to sing with Colorado’s only year-round, fully professional choir. The fellowship is named after the Canadian-American Black composer, Nathaniel Dett, who was a prominent choral director and composer. Fellowship activities will include performing with St. Martin’s, private lesson opportunities, audition preparation, and more.
Program eligibility includes singers coming from populations that are historically underrepresented, including African American, Latin American, Asian American, and Native American backgrounds. Singers need to be at least 17 years of age.
Program Components
- Perform in a minimum of two concert series with St. Martin’s Chamber Choir
- SMCC singer mentorship
- Private lesson opportunities
- Opportunities to participate in SMCC Education and Outreach events
- Fellows will receive a minimum $400 per concert series
- Fellows will receive equivalent pay rate as contracted singers for any Education and Outreach events
How to apply
Interested in applying? Please email a short (approximately one paragraph) letter of interest describing your musical background. Once received, we will reach out to set up a short interview and low-pressure audition.
Current Nathaniel Dett Fellow
A recent addition to Denver, Jonathan Rodney is eager to make his St. Martin’s debut as this season’s Nathaniel Dett Fellow. This Chicagoland native is pursuing his graduate studies in M.S. Recording Arts at University of Colorado Denver, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Music (Voice) and German minor from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN. Jonathan enjoys collaborating with other musicians across all genres—from choral music and opera to creating his own original music that can be found on streaming platforms, and everything in between. He has had the great honor of performing in Nicaragua, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Pohnpei, Egypt, and Germany, and looks forward to making more beautiful music with St. Martin’s Chamber Choir.
Past Fellows
- Sovereign Walker (2025-2026)
- Kass Bat-Itgel (2024-2025)
- Bianca Thomas (2023-2024)
- Alicia Irigoyen Pons (2022-2023)