Alexander Nelson is a dynamic and versatile musician, teacher, composer and teaching
artist with a passion for inspiring creativity and connection in both audiences and
students. As a teacher, he has worked with learners across guitar traditions, electric
bass, piano, ukulele, songwriting, composition, ear training and applied music theory.
To prepare students to navigate a wide variety of styles, including jazz, classical,
folk, rock, pop, blues and more, Nelson incorporates a cross-modal approach to learning
informed by the Montessori school, the Suzuki method and over a decade of experience.
He has taught students of all ages and prides himself on his ability to meet students
where they are on their musical journeys and help them achieve their goals.
Central to his pedagogical practice is a commitment to understanding the vibrant and
multifaceted ways that both adults and children learn. To that end, he has conducted
extensive academic research on the cognitive effects of musical education, participated
in workshops and studies on the importance of socio-emotional learning, and gained
hands-on experience with play therapy-informed and game-based learning to meet, support,
and manage a variety of needs across student populations.
In addition to being an active soloist and sideman, Alex has served as a music and
artistic director for performing arts camps; worked as a recording artist, session
musician, mixing engineer and producer; served as a teaching artist for underserved
communities in both classroom and one-on-one settings for ages ranging from pre-K
to adults living with dementia; conducted jazz ensembles and ukulele bands; led workshops
on composition and songwriting; played lead guitar for various grunge, indie rock
and jazz groups; and given lectures, taught performance practice and designed curricula
at the university level.
Originally self-taught, Alex went on to earn both his B.M and M.M in Classical Guitar
Performance from UNCSA. These diverse experiences — inside and outside the academy
— have shaped his craft under the guidance of some of the world's most renowned guitarists.
He has performed in masterclasses led by Grammy Award-winners Sergio Assad and William
Kanengiser, Guitar Foundation of America winners Lorenzo Michelli and Jason Vieaux,
and renowned composer, teacher, and conductor Alan Hirsh. He is also an active member
and guest artist in various collectives, including the jazz- and pop-oriented Ethernaut and
the experimental jazz-fusion/ambient electronic project Vintage Astronaut.
When he isn't practicing Bach or arranging jazz tunes, Alex enjoys reading non-fiction,
hiking, writing and embroidery.
Education
M.M. Classical Guitar PerformanceUNC School of the Arts
B.M. Classical Guitar PerformanceUNC School of the Arts