Having grown up in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, Ben Nause (he/him) is thrilled to return to his home state as he begins the next chapter of his career in the Greater Philadelphia region. A vocalist, pianist, educator and musical director, Ben believes that the best music-making begins with respect, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence. Whether leading a rehearsal, accompanying a soloist, or performing on stage, he strives to create environments where artists feel valued, challenged and inspired to do their very best. 

For the past four years, Ben served as Choir Director at Island School on Kaua’i, Hawai’i, where he brought back the program after it had remained dormant after the pandemic. During his tenure, Ben expanded the choral program from three ensembles to four while also doubling student participation from approximately 60 to more than 120 singers. This growth highlights Ben’s ability to recruit and retain singers, a topic he was invited to present on at Hawa'i’i ACDA Professional Development weekend back in 2025. He also served as Enrichment Department Head, a role where his passion for leadership and arts education grew.

Beyond the classroom, Ben immersed himself in Kauai’s vibrant performing arts community working with numerous arts organizations. One of the highlights during his time in Hawaii was serving as Music Director, rehearsal pianist, and conductor for Hawai’i Children’s Theatre’s production of “The Music Man” — a full circle moment as Ben’s very first role in musical theatre was playing the role of Winthrop Paroo. Being able to work with a variety of groups allowed Ben to establish himself as an integral part of the musical community. In his free time, Ben also spent time volunteering on two executive boards: Kaua’i Concert Association and the Hawai’i Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association. This allowed Ben to be involved in multiple different local communities, working with other local professionals to encourage and enhance musical education and experiences.

As a performer, Ben has accompanied both soloists and choral ensembles in majors vocal works including Handel’s “Messiah” and Rutter’s “Magnificat.” As a vocalist, Ben has had a diverse career spanning chamber choral music, opera, and musical theatre. He has appeared as a soloist internationally in both Japan and New Zealand. He has had the privilege to perform at the 2022 ACDA Southern Regional Conference in Raleigh, NC under the direction of Dr. Greg Fuller with the Southern Chorale. He holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Music Education from Susquehanna University. Whether teaching, conducting, accompanying or performing, Ben is passionate about creating artistic experiences that leave a lasting musical and emotional impact. He is excited to continue building meaningful collaborations throughout the Philadelphia region while contributing to its rich and thriving arts community.