Steven Sharp Nelson

Steven Sharp Nelson
Born (1977-07-05) July 5, 1977
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Genres Classical, New-age
Instruments Cello
Associated acts The Piano Guys
Website stevensharpnelson.com

Steven Sharp Nelson is an American cellist, best known as "The Cello Guy" of The Piano Guys, a YouTube music video channel, as well as a touring band.[1]

Personal life

When Nelson was seven, his father decided that each of his children would learn to play an instrument invented earlier than the 1800s.[2] He initially tried the violin but instead found his passion for the cello.[2] In 2002 he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in music and later earned his master's degree in public administration.[2][3][4][5] Prior to joining The Piano Guys, he worked in real estate.[3]

Nelson credits his father with instilling his passion for music by his father displaying his own passion often.[6] He openly credits God for his success but says that he does not want to push his beliefs on others or make others feel pressured by his music.[7][8] As part of his faith, Nelson participated in a mission to South Korea.[7]

Nelson is Mormon.[7]

Nelson and his wife, Julie, have four children.[2]

Career

As of 2006, Nelson was a real estate developer and described his music as an escape rather than a vocation.[2] He never intended for music to become his primary income.[2] Nelson signed with Stone Angel Music, an independent record label formed in 1999 by Paul Cardall, and released his first solo album, Sacred Cello, in 2006 earning him the Pearl Award for Best Instrumental Classical Album.[9][10] The song reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts top 20 classical recordings.[9] Nelson, and the rest of the Piano Guys, signed a contract with Sony Masterworks in 2012 that allowed them to retain artistic control of the group.[11] He has also played with the China Philharmonic Orchestra.[9] Nelson released two other solo albums: Tender Mercies in 2008, followed by Christmas Cello in 2010.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Steven Sharp Nelson's Biography" sacredcello.com. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Carma Wadley (8 October 2006). "Music is an escape, not a vocation, for cellist". Deseret News. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  3. 1 2 "University of Utah Alumni Association awards $550,000 in scholarships and honors Piano Guys cellist and U professor". U News Center (University of Utah). April 6, 2015.
  4. ↑ "U. to honor Piano Guys musician, professor". Deseret News. April 6, 2015.
  5. ↑ Carma Wadley (16 November 2008). "Utah pianist, cellist working together to make beautiful music". Deseret News. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Lois M. Collins (8 June 2014). "Father knows best: Notable personalities on what they learned from their dads". Deseret News National Edition. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 Bowler, Hillary (16 December 2013). "The Piano Guys: 4 Dads on a Mission". Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret News. Retrieved 10 June 2014 – via HighBeam. (subscription required (help)).
  8. ↑ Hillary Bowler (16 February 2012). "The Piano Guys strive for a positive influence". Salt Lake City: Deseret News. Retrieved 10 June 2014 – via HighBeam. (subscription required (help)).
  9. 1 2 3 "A-List Performances at the Podium". Manila Bulletin. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2014 – via HighBeam. (subscription required (help)).
  10. 1 2 "The Piano Guys’ Steven Sharp Nelson releases independent cello collection with former record label.". Stone Age Music. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  11. ↑ Blair Howell (15 September 2012). "TV preview: the Piano Guys enter the big time with PBS broadcast". Deseret News. Retrieved 10 June 2014.

External links


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