Nelson Walker (they/them, b. 2000) is many things: a composer, a multi-instrumentalist, a lifelong vegetarian, an improviser, an audio/video engineer, a polyglot-in-progress, and a lover of loose-leaf teas. Through their numerous collaborations with a wide range of artists, performers, and organizations (including the Ivalas Quartet, Marco Corvo, Gary Grundei, Brenton Zola, Motus Theater, ~Nois, Impact Playback, Grace Stringfellow, Lati2de, the Boulder Altitude Directive (B.A.D.), the Carpe Diem String Quartet, Sean Flynn, the Denver Playground Ensemble, Playback Theater West, and Jordan Holloway), 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.
They are honored to be studying with Evan Chambers and Kristin Kuster at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as they pursue their masters degree in composition. Previously, they studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder with Annika Socolofsky, Carter Pann, and Nathan Hall (amongst others).
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 time spent cooking.
