Natalie Frakes is a Detroit-bred, Chicago-based violinist and violist, music educator, conductor, activist, and mindfulness teacher. She believes deeply in using music as a vehicle for social change and has dedicated much of her time to education and creative social initiatives.

She began her musical journey at the age of five as a Suzuki student in Detroit, Michigan. Her musical lineage spans as far back as the violin pedagogue Carl Flesch who taught Roman Totenberg who was the teacher of Natalie's teacher, Dr. Laura Roelofs whom she studied with at Wayne State University (BM).

Natalie has a well-rounded personality and many interests. Her nature has allowed her to become a diverse musician -- from recording with Detroit hip-hop greats such as Amp Fiddler to performing alongside Stevie Wonder, Laufey, Burna Boy, Bebe Winans, Ed Sheeran, Kygo, and many more.

She is co-founder and second violinist in string quartet Six Mile Strings. Their aim is to push the boundaries of what the "traditional" string quartet can do. Their debut album, "Up North" can be purchased at sixmilestrings.bandcamp.com.

Natalie is also Founder and Creative Director of femme music collective, Midtown Strings. This collective specializes in special event music and string contracting.

She is currently Director of Orchestras at Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois and continues to be engaged as a music educator in disempowered communities. Within her district she is a leader on the equity team and instructs trauma-informed mindfulness in the classroom. She is also a teacher artist at Living Word Christian Center. Natalie is also deeply grateful to be part of the Academy for Impact through Music (AIM) team as a Firebird Coach and Faculty Member.