Born in Cairns, Northern Queensland, Australia.
Has resided in Cairns (QLD), Rockhampton (QLD), Brisbane (QLD), Wagga Wagga
(NSW), and currently resides in Townsville (QLD).
E X P E R I E N C E
Natalie began learning drums and percussion through school at age 12, and began
formal drum kit tuition at age 14.
Upon graduating high school, she was accepted into university (college) to study a
Bachelor of Music at Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music,
While studying at Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (2010-13), Nat had the
privilege to play with the likes of James Morrison, Bob Cousin, and LA artist and
educator Jeff Jarvis. Her highlight was having the privilege to perform a number of
shows with Jazz legend Don Radar (Maynard Ferguson, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles,
Elvis Presley, Count Basie, and many more).
After leaving university, Nat was involved in some projects that were going to go ahead
in Brisbane with an all female latin ensemble specifically chosen to back Shela E.
however, those unfortunately didn’t work out due to a lack of funding caused by the
Global Financial Crisis.
Before joining the Army four years ago, Nat was involved in a number of groups in the
Cairns area, playing in the pit for local theatre productions, and would gig with pop
cover bands ‘Careless’ and ‘The Mice’.
The past four years Nat has been lucky to be involved with a number of different shows
and projects with The Australian Army Band and has been posted to Kapooka and
Townsville thus far. Whist posted to Kapooka, Nat held the drum chair for a number of
themed shows including: Music of Motown, Around the World in 80mins of music,
Music of Neil Diamond and Carol King, Music of Adele (which was a huge sing for the
vocalist!), Latin Big Band Lunch, On the Shoulder’s of Giants (A tribute to the ANZAC’s),
to name just a handful.
Nat also had the privilege while living in Wagga to support a number of nationally
recognised artists including the likes of Beccy Cole and Tom Burlinson, both for the
Army, and in a civilian capacity.
M U S I C A L I N T E R E S T S
Nat is a versatile player who enjoys playing all styles on music. She has a particular
interest and love for all things Big Band, Latin, Small Group Jazz, as well as Rock and
Pop. In her job as a drummer for the Australian Army, on any given day Nat can be
required to go from playing in the big band, to rehearsing with a small brass ensemble,
to a bebop quartet, to playing 3 sets with a pop group, or playing marches and strict
rudimental sequences for ceremonial purposes.
Being that military bands are deeply routed in rudimental tradition, Nat is an avid studier
Natalie (Nat) Gray
of Rudimental Drumming. In 2017, Natalie became a member of the Symposium of
International Rudimental Drummers (SIRD) after having collaborated with members of
the United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Swiss Army Band, drummers from
His Majesty The Kings Guard of Norway band, and members of Top Secret Drum Corps
at the Basal Tattoo (Switzerland) with the Australian Army Band. Nat continues to
compose and arrange drum corps pieces and displays for selected/special occasions
when called upon.
P L A C E S W H E R E N AT H A S T O U R E D A N D P L AY E D :
Basal - Switzerland
Apia - Samoa
Papua New Genia
All around Australia
Future appearances:
Portsmouth - United Kingdom*** (Pending due to Covid-19 restrictions)
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE - SPECIALISING IN JAZZ & POPULAR
(WITH DISTINCTION) 2010-2012
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
B A C H E L O R O F M U S I C H O N O U R S - L AT I N P E R C U S S I O N A N D I T S
A P P L I C AT I O N T O T H E D R U M K I T
2012-2013
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
G R A D U AT E D I P L O M A L E A R N I N G A N D T E A C H I N G
2014-2015
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
T E A C H E R S A N D I N S T R U C T O R S
Jonathon Barbagallo, Joe Vizzone, John Morrison, Paul Hudson, Jason Smyth-Tomkins,
Mick Beeton, David Jones, Mark Reilly