Nate Mendl is a founder of the group and is also it's musical director. Mendl graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in choral music education in 2004 and continues to lead an active life working in the music industry.
Nate was born and raised in Wisconsin. While he was attending college, he was in many different musical groups. He was a member of the Wisconsin Singers, a singing and dancing troupe in 2000-2001. In 2001, he joined MadHatters, the all male a cappella group at the University of Wisconsin. It was here that Nate first met The Cat’s Pajamas members Brian Skinner and Grant Hendrickson. At the same time, Nate founded a coed a cappella group called Redefined and continued to direct them until his graduation. He has worked as a guest clinician with high school and middle school musicians, both on piano and voice. Nate's directing and arranging background won him the International Varsity Vocals A Cappella Scholarship in 2003.
Nate has also always had an interest in music production. In 2002 he opened SupaCleen Recording, a mobile music recording service specializing in classical and acoustic music. In 2004 he joined Sticha Brothers Recording, which he managed and operated until 2006 when The Cat’s Pajamas began touring full time. Nate has also mixed FOH for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and their annual outdoor Concerts On The Square.
He has developed a name within the a college cappella community as a producer, and his a cappella projects have received numerous awards including multiple nominations for the CARAs (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards), BOCA (Best of College A Cappella) and the CAMO (Collegiate A Cappella Music Organization) compilation CD, "Top Shelf A Cappella."
When The Cat’s Pajamas aren’t touring, nate enjoys backpacking in the mountains, sailing, and roller coasters. |
