Artists / Faculties
Horn: Jeff Nelsen
“Jeff Nelsen is an extraordinarily sophisticated artist on the horn.” —Keith Lockhart, Conductor of Boston Pops
Internationally acclaimed Canadian hornist Jeff Nelsen’s eclectic career comprises a true cross-section of the music industry. He is equally successful in both classical and contemporary genres and in the roles of both musician and mentor. Respected as a dynamic performer, Jeff is best known as the former solo hornist of the world famous Canadian Brass, with whom he recorded and performed concerts internationally for most of the last decade. Jeff has also been featured with the brass in front of symphony orchestras including Atlanta, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Minnesota, Montreal, Philadelphia, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Considered one of the world’s great hornists, Jeff Nelsen has performed as soloist in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australia. Formerly a full-time member of several orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony, Jeff has also performed in the horn sections of the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony, National Arts Center Orchestra, and the Canadian Opera Company. Eager to cross musical boundaries, Jeff played the full run of two Broadway shows in New York City and toured with Barry Manilow and Michael Bolton.
Sought after as an inspirational and innovative teacher, Jeff is on the horn faculty of the illustrious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Professor Nelsen teaches horn, coaches chamber music, and guides musicians in what he calls, “Fearless Performance.”
Jeff has recorded with Sony Classical, Warner, Blue Note, London/Decca, Disney, Summit, and C.B.C. labels, and his latest recording is with Opening Day Records. Jeff Nelsen is a Yamaha Artist and performs exclusively on his 24-carat gold-plated Yamaha 667VS horn.
Aside from creating musical magic, Jeff is an enthusiastic magician, and often adds touches of illusionary arts to performances. Jeff’s wife Nina Yoshida Nelsen is a respected mezzo-soprano with whom he performs their orchestral pops show and recitals worldwide. They live in Bloomington, Indiana with their 4-month old son, Rhys.