Natalie Pontikes

I am a creative storyteller whose life and work are shaped by a deep connection to the natural world, music, and visual art. I grew up in Chicago, where I spent my early years playing sports and exploring a wide range of interests, developing both discipline and curiosity from a young age. My path took a defining turn when I moved to the North Country of New York to attend St. Lawrence University—an experience that would shape the next ten years of my life. There, I studied environmental studies, English and outdoor studies while immersing myself in the region’s landscape. During my time at St. Lawrence, I cultivated a lasting appreciation for the Adirondacks, sustainable agriculture, and the rhythms of rural life. As an outdoor guide for the St. Lawrence Outdoor Program, I led climbing and backcountry trips, deepening my relationship to the land and my ability to connect with others through shared outdoor experience.

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During my time at St. Lawrence, I also lived in the Java House, a student-run music venue and creative living space where I helped book, plan, and produce weekly concerts. Working alongside a team, I contributed to managing a substantial budget and fostering a vibrant, collaborative music community on campus—an experience that deeply shaped my love for live performance and artist support. It was also during this time that I began developing my practice in oil painting, using it as a way to capture portraits, landscapes, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place—an artistic discipline I continue to evolve.

My musical journey began not in a classroom, but during summers spent at ranch camp in Wyoming, where nights singing folk songs around the campfire sparked a lasting passion for music. What started with singing and guitar grew into a deeper pursuit, eventually leading me to enroll at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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When I entered the Crane School of Music, my background was unconventional. I had only been playing the violin for a year, had no classical training, and did not know how to read music. What I did have was a deep passion for the instrument and a clear sense of purpose. Through conversations with professors and openly sharing my story, my dedication and musical intuition stood out. My audition reflected not perfection, but potential—and that was enough to earn me a place. I went on to study music business and violin, graduating summa cum laude while refining both my technical skill and artistic voice. While violin remains my primary instrument, I am a multi-instrumentalist and also play mandolin, guitar, piano, and banjo, drawing inspiration largely from folk traditions. In January 2026, I released my self-produced album of covers, Propagations, a project that reflects my roots in folk music and my commitment to independent, self-driven creative work.

Professionally, my work sits at the intersection of the arts, communications, and community engagement. My experience spans social media, visual media production, and fundraising + event coordination, including roles in both environmental and music-focused organizations. Most notably, I served as the Special Events & House Manager for the Portland Symphony Orchestra, where I planned and executed major donor events—including the Forte fundraising auction—while overseeing front-of-house concert operations and creating seamless, welcoming experiences for patrons. I have also worked in music business and artist relations roles, supporting musicians and creative initiatives through strategic communication and storytelling.

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Today, I split my time between Nashville, Tennessee and Steamboat Springs, Colorado—two places that reflect the dual nature of my work and identity: music and mountains, artistry and adventure. Across mediums, whether through painting, photography, music, or digital storytelling, my work is rooted in authenticity, connection, and a desire to capture the message of a moment. Each chapter of my journey continues to inform a body of work that is both deeply personal and grounded in a strong sense of place.