Meet Victoria Nelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Nelson.

Hi Victoria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I started my music journey in my hometown of Asheville, NC playing the piano! From age 8-18, many of my teachers on both piano and percussion were classical musicians by day, but indie and blues and rock and experimental musicians by night. I credit those mentors and that quirky, artistic town for setting an early example for me of how to live a musically fulfilling life in various spheres.

My big “Aha moment” came during summer at Brevard Music Center, playing percussion in the orchestra on Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. I had been waging a weeks-long battle between my diminutive stature and the wielding of my rather large crash cymbals. My fairly obvious notes (crash cymbals are loud,) were never lining up with the orchestra the way I wanted them to.

Finally, on the evening of the concert, everything fell into place for the first time, culminating in an epic “CRASH” to end the suite. The musical goosebumps from being part of such a perfect moment set me off on my musical career, and I’ve not looked back since! I decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UNC-Chapel Hill, and then a master’s in percussion performance at the Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University. The Firebird Suite remains my favorite piece of orchestral music to this day!

Since moving back to the triangle, I’ve enjoyed a busy career in the percussive arts as both performer and educator. I currently serve as the principal percussionist for Fayetteville Symphony and Durham Symphony, the principal timpanist for Raleigh symphony, as well as playing often with the North Carolina Symphony, NC Opera, Carolina Ballet, NC Master Chorale, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, and any group that requires the confident crash of a cymbal!

When not performing orchestral work, I also play percussion with the contemporary music group earspace, which requires me to get much more creative in my percussive offerings. In earspace concerts, I’ve gotten to play on teacups and saucers, I’ve taped coins to my vibraphone, I’ve smashed an Altoid can with a mallet, and I’ve played the snare drum with a sprung doorstop.

Being a percussionist means that every day I get to create a wide array of sounds, play all sorts of genres of music, work with every type of performing ensemble, and educate all manner of students. I currently teach group classes of young percussionists at Kidznotes, as well as up-and-coming percussionists at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and in my private studio in Northwest Raleigh.

Helping students to hone their skills and find joy in music has been a huge part of maintaining my own musical fire. It’s the best job, and it’s different absolutely every day!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m not sure anyone’s road ever feels smooth! Choosing a musical career path definitely comes with some struggles. I think that artists of any kind inherently have deep emotional ties to the work they create. Often, our sense of self is completely wrapped up in our productive output.

For me, that can feel great when I’m playing well when I have lots of time to practice and ponder, and when I’m feeling creative. But on the flip side, if that artistic outlet is feeling strained, perhaps because I’ve overbooked myself, or maybe because a global pandemic has put a pause on my public performances, it can feel like that sense of creative identity is quite fragile.

My biggest hurdle has always been, and continues to be, separating the wrong notes and canceled shows from my self-worth, while still celebrating any chance I have to perform and create and play, and holding those moments tight as part of who I am.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love being a percussionist in this area because there is SO MUCH TO DO.

Just within this season, I’ve been working on the following: Recording in the studio for a brand new composition of Snow White with the Carolina Ballet, practicing with my marimba quartet, playing in the pit for a world stage premiere with the NC Opera, putting together a salsa band, working on some strange sounds for an earspace concert in April.

Practicing with my all-girl rock band Kinda Nice, performing a Halloween concert in a kangaroo costume with the Fayetteville Symphony, etc. I try to be really well-rounded so that I can play lots of different stuff, and not miss out on any fun opportunities to work with great humans, playing great music.

What does success mean to you?
Success is happiness for me, I think that’s basically it!

A few factors within my work life that usually help to build that happiness up include a sense of belonging in the musical community where I live, attention to the balance between musical opportunities that both challenge me and validate me, and ongoing investment into fulfilling musical relationships with my colleagues, friends, and students.

Pricing:

• Percussion Lessons: $60/hr
• Stage or Session Musician: pricing upon inquiry

Contact Info:

• Email: v.m.nelson91@gmail.com
• Website: VictoriaNelsonMusic.com

Image Credits
Brittany Hudson, Milton Costen, and Joe Chapman