Known for her multi-style cello playing, ethereal vocals, and heartfelt songwriting, Natalie Hagwood expands the boundaries of her traditionally-classical instrument. Raised in Quincy, California, she grew up steeped in music – singing harmonies with her family band and playing by ear. Collaborations with folk bands honed her improvisational skills while pursuing classical training in college expanded her technical ability. 

While studying cello performance at University of Nevada Reno, she attended the Next Festival of Emerging Artists, the Montecito International Music Festival, and toured Germany with the Helmuth Rilling Weimar Bach Academy. Her classical training continued in Seattle, WA, where she won the University of Washington Concerto Competition, soloing with the UW Symphony in 2018. 

Collaborations with folk bands eventually brought her together with bandmates Dear Darling, with whom she performed with for five years. While a member of Dear Darling, she honed her folk cello and vocal harmonizing skills while performing intimate house shows and once-in-a-lifetime shows on the Cayamo Music Cruise through the Caribbean and NPR’s Mountain Stage in Charleston, WV.

Natalie currently performs with numerous groups in Sacramento and enjoys songwriting, recording, and teaching cello students of all ages and abilities.