Brandon Nelson

Piano Teacher
Bachelor of Piano Performance with a Jazz Emphasis, Washington State University

Brandon Nelson began his piano studies at the age of 12 in Mount Vernon, WA. He graduated from Washington State University in 2016 with a degree in Piano Performance with a Jazz Emphasis. During his studies, Brandon studied directly from renowned musicians Brian Ward, Gerald Berthiaume, and Greg Yasinitsky.

Brandon is a prizewinner in multiple competitions, including the Washington State Music Teachers Association’s District One Recital (2011), Phase I Scholarship Competition (2012-2016), and The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (2015 and 2016). In 2016, Brandon was also selected as the pianist to play at Hamp’s Club. Currently a working musician, Brandon is playing with groups around Vancouver and Portland.

Q&A

When did you know you wanted to teach music?
When one of my first students had a “light-bulb” moment.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why?
Fly! I want to travel the world and experience life in the air.

If you could only listen to three pieces of music/songs on a deserted island, what would they be?
“Wake Up and Dream” by Hiromi Uehara, “Battle Studies” by John Mayer, and “Source” by Benny Green.