The lights flash, the smoke rises, and music is made. Only being 16 years of age, a young man stands steady and prepared with his electric guitar, a white, 1957, vintage Fender Stratocaster. People gather around to listen to him play, as his guitar sings when he moves his fingers across the fret board. This is the dream sophomore Nathan Luistro possesses. To him, a guitar is more than metal strings on a chunk of wood. Guitar is his outlet. Guitar is his passion. Guitar is what he loves.

“I love the feeling of being taken away into my own zone,” Nathan said. “I am not worrying about school or any problems that are going on.”

Ever since Luistro was a little kid, he had an interest in playing the guitar, but he didn’t begin playing until the age of 11.

According to Nathan’s father, Noel Luistro, “he was always fascinated with it.”

Being inspired by his family, he soon picked up on the instrument and learned to play.

“I was inspired by my uncle, and his brother, along with my cousins,” Nathan said. “I was excited because [they] were always playing guitar together and now I could join them.”

Now that Nathan has been playing guitar for six years, he has grown a great deal as a musician. He has developed his own taste in music, which lies somewhere between a blues, jazz and rock sound. Through countless hours of practicing on his own time and jamming with other musicians, he has advanced his guitar playing into something greater than the average guitarist.

“Nathan’s guitar playing is a gift,” music teacher and drummer of 33 years, Steve Guiffrida said. “He is definitely gifted and you can’t say that about a lot of people. He has progressed quickly and he has matured, God-given gift.”

Currently, Nathan is utilizing his talent by being a part of a youth band at his church, called Awakened. On top of this, he also plays solo music on the side. He is working on creating an album of his own called Mixed Emotions.

Through that album, Nathan hopes to show people who he truly is, and let them know what he is all about. Nathan plans to go far with his music. Not just to be an average player, but to go above and beyond that to become the next great guitarist.

“I hope to have a career in playing in the future,” Nathan said. “I want to be more than just a weekend guitar player but have it support me as a living.”

Along with his family, friends, and the other musicians he plays with, Nathan believes that he has what it takes to rise to the top.

“I think he will be able to go as far as he wants to,” Nathan’s mother, Darla Luistro said. “He is very determined.”

Nathan is continuously trying to improve, and he is striving to become a better guitar player. His dream certainly is to continue to reach as his heart continues to chase his passion.

“I really try to give God all the glory,” Nathan said, “No matter what and how I play.”