Nathan Birkholz began his work in church music ministry in Urbana, Illinois at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (ELCA). After several years and three degrees in piano study, conducting, French, and musicology, he moved back to his hometown of Appleton and started working as organist at Zion Lutheran Church. He then served for over seven years at First English Lutheran Church as organist, choir director, and handbell choir director before coming to First Congregational in 2021. He holds degrees from Northern Illinois University (BM), Indiana University-Bloomington (MM), and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (DMA). He also serves as staff accompanist at Lawrence University in its vocal arts program. He is the father of two boys who love to fish and enjoys helping coach their various baseball and soccer teams. His other hobbies include gardening with native perennials, lifting weights, hiking, birding, and following his favorite Wisconsin sports teams.