Cynthia with Natalie Oliver-Atherton, Ms. Senior America 2024/2025, Mrs. Centennial 2023 & Mrs. Colorado American 2023

Natalie Oliver-Atherton, Ms. Senior America 2024/2025, Mrs. Centennial 2023 & Mrs. Colorado American 2023, boasts an illustrious career spanning over two decades as the Music Director & Conductor of the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble, S.T.A.R.S. (Singers Taking Action Reaching Souls). Her journey has taken her across the globe, captivating audiences with her extraordinary talents.   Natalie’s passion for music was evident from a young age. Remarkably, she could sing before she could articulate coherent sentences. By the tender age of thirteen, she had already assumed the role of choral director and conductor, a role she initially embraced at her childhood church. Her professional journey commenced at age 17 when she graced the stage as a soloist at the iconic Carnegie Hall. It reached a pinnacle years later as she performed in the enchanting setting of the French Riviera for the late Prince Rainier of Monaco.   As a singer and actress, Natalie has left an indelible mark in the world of entertainment. Her impressive credits include the role of the Gypsy Acid Queen in two international tours of “The Who’s Tommy” (Germany/Canada), Constance in David Merrick’s “Oh, Kay!,” Andrea Devereaux in “Once on This Island,” and the thought-provoking “A Brief History of White Music.” Her talents have also graced the silver screen, with notable appearances in feature films such as “Mississippi Masala” (opposite Oscar winner Denzel Washington) and “Amazing Grace & Chuck” (alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Gregory Peck).   On the regional stage, Natalie’s versatility shines through. She has portrayed Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Ronnette in “Little Shop of Horrors,” Annie in “Porgy & Bess,” and Mayme in “Intimate Apparel,” earning her a well-deserved Denver Post Ovation Award nomination for best supporting actress in a musical. Most recently, she enthralled audiences as Tryshia in “The Last Session” at Town Hall Arts Center and starred in the new musical “Trav’lin” alongside Broadway veteran Milton Craig Nealy at Arvada Center before the COVID pandemic.   Natalie’s vocal prowess extends to prestigious orchestral performances, including appearances as the soprano soloist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, where she delivered captivating renditions of Duke Ellington’s “Sacred Concert” and “Too Hot to Handel.” She has also graced the stages of the Florida Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, and Sinfonia Gulfcoast with her mesmerizing vocals.   Her journey also led her to headline at the former Stardust Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in their original production, “Enter the Night,” and opened for the esteemed poet laureate, Dr. Maya Angelou. Natalie’s dynamic range and versatility were on full display as she embodied the role of Mother Wisdom in a new opera about the life of Mary Magdalene titled “Woman of Light,” earning her a second Denver Post Ovation Award nomination as best supporting actress in a musical.   As Mrs Colorado American 2023 she has lent her services to collect toys for our military children at Ft. Carson, raised $18,000 to benefit Lifespark, Alzheimer’s Foundation, Colorectal Cancer, Global Down Syndrome, the Sock It To Em Sock Campaign, as an ambassador for the homeless and underserved communities and is currently a nominee to fund raise for the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society, competing to be their largest fundraiser who will be named Visionary of the Year 2024.   Beyond her remarkable career and community activism, Natalie finds fulfillment in her family life. She resides just outside Denver, Colorado, with her husband of 28 years, Jeffrey, and takes immense pride in being the mother of three beautiful children: Justin (32) Rachael (27) and Serea (23). Together with her husband, she serves as an instructor and coach at their private vocal and acting studio, the Namasté Works Vocal & Acting Studio. Furthermore, she holds the esteemed position of Executive Director at The Namaste Works Foundation, operating under the moniker The Namasté Works Arts Alliance. This nonprofit is dedicated to identifying and nurturing the talents of young adult performing artists, guiding them toward the next stage of their development, and inspiring them to become Ambassadors for Humanity who generously share their gifts, talents, and abilities with the world.