Jan Nelson
Lecturer
Dr. Nelson is a versatile performer and educator, recognized for her mellow voice and innovative teaching style. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and Arts Administration from the University of Oregon; a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Central Washington University; and a Bachelor of Science in Music and Business Administration from Western Oregon University. A passionate teacher and learner, Nelson also completed a post-doctoral teaching fellowship at the International Performing Arts Institute in Kiefersfelden, Germany.
Nelson has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the Pacific Northwest including Baroque Northwest, Jefferson Baroque Orchestra, Oregon Mozart Players, Emerald Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Bach Collegium, Rainbow City Orchestra, and Salem Concert Band to name a few. A passionate supporter of contemporary classical music, she has premiered new works with the Music Today Festival, Eugene Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, and the Oregon Bach Festival Composer’s Symposium.
On the stage, Nelson has sung Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Nicklaus (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Nancy (Martha), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Miss Todd (The Old Maid and the Thief), The Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Zita (Gianni Schicchi), Cinderella’s Stepmother (Into the Woods) and The Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd). She has also performed numerous oratorio works including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Rutter’s Magnificat, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.
As an accomplished ensemble singer, Nelson has performed with the Oregon Bach Festival as a member of the Berwick Chorus for seven consecutive seasons. She was a founding member of the early music ensemble Vox Resonat, and currently wings with Resonate Vocal Ensemble, a chamber octet performing throughout Seattle and South King County.
Nelson’s performance highlights include Brahms’ Neue Liebeslieder, Villa-Lobos’ Il bove, Bach’s Magnificat, Michel Pignolet de Montéclair’s Ariane et Bachus, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. In 2023, she collaborated on a live performance recording project of musical works by African American composer Nansi Carroll, performing the alto solo in the chamber work The Servant Girl at Emmaus. Nelson’s recent performances in the 2023-24 season include Mary in Amy Beach’s Cabildo with Puget Sound Concert Opera and a collaboration with Radiance Vocal Ensemble.
As a music educator in both traditional and contemporary voice pedagogy, Nelson holds a Level 3 certificate in the Lovetri Method Somatic Voicework, a body-based method of functional vocal training, and has recently begun training in the Estill Voice Training Method. Other areas of formal study include extended techniques in gospel and rock singing and ongoing training in voice and pedagogy with Dr. Maryann Kyle.
Nelson is a continuing member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Nelson has presented research at several national conferences and remains in demand as an adjudicator, guest lecturer, and master class teacher. She has previously served as Assistant Professor of Voice at Western Oregon University and Head of Vocal Studies at Seattle Pacific University.
Nelson has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the Pacific Northwest including Baroque Northwest, Jefferson Baroque Orchestra, Oregon Mozart Players, Emerald Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Bach Collegium, Rainbow City Orchestra, and Salem Concert Band to name a few. A passionate supporter of contemporary classical music, she has premiered new works with the Music Today Festival, Eugene Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, and the Oregon Bach Festival Composer’s Symposium.
On the stage, Nelson has sung Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Nicklaus (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Nancy (Martha), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Miss Todd (The Old Maid and the Thief), The Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Zita (Gianni Schicchi), Cinderella’s Stepmother (Into the Woods) and The Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd). She has also performed numerous oratorio works including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Rutter’s Magnificat, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.
As an accomplished ensemble singer, Nelson has performed with the Oregon Bach Festival as a member of the Berwick Chorus for seven consecutive seasons. She was a founding member of the early music ensemble Vox Resonat, and currently wings with Resonate Vocal Ensemble, a chamber octet performing throughout Seattle and South King County.
Nelson’s performance highlights include Brahms’ Neue Liebeslieder, Villa-Lobos’ Il bove, Bach’s Magnificat, Michel Pignolet de Montéclair’s Ariane et Bachus, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. In 2023, she collaborated on a live performance recording project of musical works by African American composer Nansi Carroll, performing the alto solo in the chamber work The Servant Girl at Emmaus. Nelson’s recent performances in the 2023-24 season include Mary in Amy Beach’s Cabildo with Puget Sound Concert Opera and a collaboration with Radiance Vocal Ensemble.
As a music educator in both traditional and contemporary voice pedagogy, Nelson holds a Level 3 certificate in the Lovetri Method Somatic Voicework, a body-based method of functional vocal training, and has recently begun training in the Estill Voice Training Method. Other areas of formal study include extended techniques in gospel and rock singing and ongoing training in voice and pedagogy with Dr. Maryann Kyle.
Nelson is a continuing member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Nelson has presented research at several national conferences and remains in demand as an adjudicator, guest lecturer, and master class teacher. She has previously served as Assistant Professor of Voice at Western Oregon University and Head of Vocal Studies at Seattle Pacific University.
Contact
Mcintyre Music Building 224