About Natalie

My name is Natalie (Raynes) Blanton and I’m a pianist, song-writer, and teacher from the beautiful Upstate of South Carolina. I’ve been blessed to be a church musician, classical competitor, special events and concert pianist, recording artist, and a teacher for over twenty years. Music has enriched my life and I’m thrilled that God has given me a platform to use that gift to enrich others’ lives as well.

My Story

I began formal lessons at the age of 4, and was classically trained through high school under the instruction of Ina Carson Pegram of Greenville, SC. Mrs. Pegram saw talent that needed a strict approach to development. This opinion was strongly supported by my parents, and they all helped me develop consistency in my technique. She gave me many opportunities to hone my skills, through recitals, scholarship competitions, local, state, and regional association events, and more.

Though I was blessed to accomplish great things on the classical side of my musical development, I realized my real heart for music was as a church pianist–not just playing myself, but supporting other church musicians as well. So much of my church music is improvisational in nature, not just reading sheet music, and I love the creative outlet that provides.

Growing up in a very traditional Baptist church (Pleasant View Baptist Church in Taylors, SC) allowed me to hear some great gospel pianists that broadened my tastes and abilities in music. I played Rachmaninoff and Mozart during the week, but I played by ear on Sundays and Wednesdays, everything from the Red-Backed Church Hymnal to Southern Gospel classics, from high church hymns of the faith to newer favorites and choruses.

In addition to the piano instruction I received, I also received formal vocal instruction. Once again, I was blessed to have a broad background of vocal instruction, from private voice lessons, a fantastic choral program in middle and high school, and a great church choir program, led largely by my dad, an incredible church musician as well. Our family has enjoyed singing together for years, and still keeps a busy travel schedule, ministering in churches across the US. The Lord has allowed me to write many songs, which our family has shared on our vocal albums.

I began teaching solo piano at the age of 15. Though I do not teach regular weekly lessons anymore, I still enjoy working one-on-one with church musicians through live video lessons.

Following high school, I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Thomas Edison State College. I was blessed to spend the next decade teaching choir and general music, working with award-winning elementary and high school choirs, and teaching several academic subjects at two private schools in the Upstate of South Carolina. While working in the classroom, I completed my Masters in Education from Liberty University.

During my last year in the classroom, my then-fiance Josh encouraged me to consider the possibility of sharing music full-time. We married near the end of that school year, and I left the classroom to work with pianists and church musicians around the world, producing video courses and tutorials, and teaching lessons. God blessed that step of faith tremendously, and now Josh and I get to work together, sharing live hymn request sessions on Facebook and YouTube, producing video courses, and publishing new music. Josh is a master carpenter by trade, but he has also become a fantastic audio/video producer for our content, and manages much of the behind-the-scenes aspect of our business and ministry.

After serving as pianist for nearly eight years at Progress Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC where my dad pastors, I began serving the Lord with my husband Josh as the church pianist at Bethel Calvary Baptist Church in Taylors, SC, where he had been a member for nearly a decade. Working with special groups, writing new music for our choirs, preparing preludes and offertories, and playing for congregational music is–without a doubt– one of my favorite ways to use music to glorify the Lord.

Josh and I welcomed our daughter Raylen Harper in November 2021. She is a popular guest on many of our live sessions, and she’s already developing a love of music herself. We are excited to add a baby boy to our family in the Spring of 2023.

 

Ultimately, since music was created by God, I desire to use it to bring glory to His name. He is the Giver of gifts, and I seek to honor Him by giving the gift back to Him for His use.