Ralph Nelson

Conductor Ralph Nelson leads many different choral groups - both children and adults - in the Portland, Oregon area. On any given day, he literally works with singers ages 8 to 104.  Named 2011 “Teaching Artist of the Year” in Oregon (by Young Audiences of Oregon), Nelson is in demand as a choral director and an artist-in-residence throughout the Portland, Oregon area.

 

Nelson grew up in Maryland and earned his bachelor's degree in music at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Subsequently, he studied composition and conducting with Nadia Boulanger and in 2008, he was a student of Helmuth Rilling at the Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene, Oregon. Nelson is the founding conductor and music director of the Bach Cantata Choir. He conducts five programs per year with this organization - featuring 50+ singers and a professional orchestra. Nelson is also the Choir Director of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland and Director of the Holladay Park Plaza Singers.