Photo by Sin-Yu Deng
Nelson Walker (they/them, b. 2000) is many things:
a composer,
a multi-instrumentalist,
a lifelong vegetarian,
an improviser,
an audio/video engineer,
and a lover of loose-leaf teas.
Through their numerous collaborations with a wide range of artists across genres and art forms, they aspire to continually learn from the wisdom of those around them, and contribute what they may towards forging a more compassionate and equitable world. Their music is motivated by the concept of vulnerability as a prerequisite for art, and the critical role of storytelling in building and strengthening community.
Photo by Sin-Yu Deng
They are honored to have studied with Evan Chambers and Kristin Kuster as they completed their Master’s in Composition at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, as well as with Annika Socolofsky, Carter Pann, and Nathan Hall (amongst others) for their Bachelor’s at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Notable collaborators have included Motus Theater, the Ivalas Quartet, ~Nois, the Carpe Diem String Quartet, Brenton Zola, Marco Corvo, Gary Grundei, Jordan M. Holloway, Grace Stringfellow, Lati2de, VIRID Duo, Nicole Knorr, the Boulder Altitude Directive (B.A.D.), and the Denver Playground Ensemble.
Their debut solo album of folk-rock/queercore-punk music, “Do I Contradict Myself?” was released April 16th, 2024 on Bandcamp and all other streaming services.
Nelson believes the key to a happy life is a balance of gratitude, self-awareness and humility, unconditional compassion for all living things, acceptance of a constantly changing world, and lots of fruits and vegetables.