---
import aboutImage from "@assets/img/about.jpg";
import conductingImage from "@assets/img/about/nathan-cummins-composer-orchestrator-conductor-conducting-1.jpg";
import generalImage from "@assets/img/about/nathan-cummins-composer-orchestrator-conductor-general-1.png";
import H2 from "@components/MDX/H2.astro";
import Paragraph from "@components/Paragraph.astro";
import SectionTitle from "@components/SectionTitle.astro";
import TextLink from "@components/TextLink.astro";
import site from "@data/site";
import MainLayout from "@layouts/MainLayout.astro";
import { Image } from "astro:assets";
---

<MainLayout title="About">
  <div class="w-full bg-white py-16 dark:bg-gray-950">
    <section id="about">
      <div class="mx-auto max-w-4xl px-8 text-left">
        <Image
          src={aboutImage}
          alt="A photo of Nathan conducting the Woodville Concert Band"
          class="mx-auto mb-8 size-96 rounded-full object-cover shadow-lg/75 transition ease-in-out md:hover:scale-150"
          transition:name="aboutImage"
          height={576}
        />
        <SectionTitle class="py-8">Dr Nathan Cummins</SectionTitle>
        <H2>{site.tagline}</H2>
        <Paragraph
          >Nathan Cummins is a composer, orchestrator, conductor, and sound
          designer based in Adelaide, South Australia. He holds a PhD in Sonic
          Arts and Music Composition from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and
          his work spans concert performance, video games, film scores, and
          interactive media.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph
          ><Image
            src={generalImage}
            alt="Nathan conducting, asking all members of the ensemble to stand for applause."
            class="mx-auto max-h-64 w-auto object-cover pb-8 md:float-right md:h-94 md:pl-8"
            layout="full-width"
            fit="cover"
            height={256}
          />With a practice grounded in orchestral craft and enriched by
          technological innovation, Nathan creates music and sound that is
          vibrant, immersive, and deeply connected to its medium. His work
          ranges from symphonic writing and choral music through to jazz and
          electronic sound worlds.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph
          >Nathan is passionate about the power of music and sound to shape
          stories, connect communities, and transform interactive experiences.
          Whether collaborating with game developers, film directors,
          choreographers, or fellow composers, he brings a combination of
          artistry, innovation, and pragmatism that makes him a versatile and
          distinctive voice in contemporary audio.</Paragraph
        >
      </div>
    </section>
    <section id="composition">
      <div class="mx-auto max-w-4xl px-8 text-left">
        <H2>Composition</H2>
        <Paragraph
          >At the heart of Nathan's career is composition. His concert works
          have been performed by ensembles across Australia, and his music for
          video games is recognised for its distinctive voice and adaptability.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph>Recent projects include:</Paragraph>
        <ul class="list-disc pl-4">
          <li>
            <span class="font-bold"
              ><TextLink
                href="/projects/video-game/dungeons-and-dining-tables/"
              >
                Dungeons and Dining Tables</TextLink
              >:</span
            > a cosy, highly orchestral score full of warmth and colour.
          </li>
          <li>
            <span class="font-bold">Roc's Odyssey:</span> an edgy, symphonic metal
            soundtrack blending excitement with orchestral grandeur.
          </li>
          <li>
            <span class="font-bold">The Lion and the Mouse:</span> a narrative work
            for orchestra (or wind orchestra) that aims to teach children about music
            and the instruments of the orchestra.
          </li>
        </ul>
        <Paragraph
          >Nathan thrives on tailoring music to story and gameplay, crafting
          scores that not only support but heighten the emotional and narrative
          experience.</Paragraph
        >
      </div>
    </section>
    <section id="orchestration">
      <div class="mx-auto mb-4 max-w-4xl px-8 text-left">
        <H2>Orchestration</H2>
        <Paragraph
          >As an orchestrator, Nathan is highly sought after for his ability to
          bring clarity, energy, and colour to music across genres. His
          orchestrations have been performed and recorded internationally,
          ranging from intimate chamber textures to full symphonic works.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph
          >He is also an expert in preparing scores and parts for recording
          sessions, with a focus on legibility and efficiency. By translating
          the composer's intent into clear, practical sheet music, Nathan helps
          ensembles and composers save valuable time and money while ensuring
          players can deliver their best performance.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph>Recent projects include:</Paragraph>
        <ul class="list-disc pl-4">
          <li>
            <span class="font-bold">Hollow Knight: Silksong:</span> orchestration
            and typesetting for the score composed by <TextLink
              href="https://composerlarkin.com/">Christopher Larkin</TextLink
            >.
          </li>
          <li>
            <span class="font-bold">Submerged: Hidden Depths:</span> typesetting
            for the recording score composed by <TextLink
              href="https://jeffvandyck.com/">Jeff van Dyck</TextLink
            >.
          </li>
        </ul>
      </div>
    </section>
    <section id="Conducting">
      <div class="mx-auto max-w-4xl px-8 text-left">
        <H2>Conducting</H2>
        <Paragraph
          >Nathan is a versatile conductor with specialisations in concert
          performance, video game music, and studio recording. He is one of
          Australia's leading directors of concerts featuring video game music,
          and is equally at home on the podium of a symphonic performance or in
          the precision-driven environment of a recording session.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph
          ><Image
            src={conductingImage}
            alt="Nathan conducting the Woodville Concert Band, smiling while standing in front of the ensemble with his arm outstretched."
            class="mx-auto max-h-96 w-auto pb-8 md:float-left md:h-94 md:pr-8"
            layout="full-width"
            fit="cover"
            height={384}
          />Highlights of his conducting work include <span class="italic"
            >Music With Motion</span
          >, a cross-media concert series tying the performance of video game
          music with live video projection, and <span class="italic"
            >Pixelated Symphonies</span
          >, a landmark concert with the <TextLink
            href="https://www.awo.org.au/">Adelaide Wind Orchestra</TextLink
          > that featured 14 newly commissioned video game arrangements by Nathan
          himself. His repertoire as a conductor spans contemporary media music,
          classical works, and cross-genre collaborations, always with a focus on
          clarity, energy, and connection with performers.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph
          >Nathan is also the Artistic Director of the <TextLink
            href="https://www.woodvillecb.com.au/"
            >Woodville Concert Band</TextLink
          >, an active, diverse, and inclusive community ensemble of around 50
          members. Under his direction, the band has become a cultural hub,
          reflecting the motto “music played for the community, by the
          community”. Through performances that engage 8,000-9,000 community
          members annually, the ensemble promotes music education, fosters
          inclusivity, and provides a distinctive cultural offering that
          supports local industries and artists. Nathan's leadership has been
          instrumental in shaping the band's vision of accessibility, culture,
          and community over profit, while still maintaining high artistic
          standards.</Paragraph
        >
      </div>
    </section>
    <section id="sound">
      <div class="mx-auto max-w-4xl px-8 text-left">
        <H2>Sound Design</H2>
        <Paragraph
          >In addition to his musical practices, Nathan is an active sound
          designer for video games. His work is highly detailed and
          project-specific, creating soundscapes that respond dynamically to
          gameplay and integrate with music.</Paragraph
        >
        <Paragraph
          >What sets Nathan apart is his ability to bridge music, sound, and
          technology. As a skilled software developer, he creates unique
          in-engine solutions for audio, and has developed his own middleware
          for FMOD that he implements across projects. This integrated approach
          allows him to deliver innovative, seamless sound design that enhances
          immersion.</Paragraph
        >
      </div>
    </section>
  </div>
</MainLayout>
