Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1958 in Morristown, NJ

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Nancy Zeltsman is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music through her exceptional skills as a marimba player, teacher, and author. Born on August 17, 1958, in New York City, Nancy grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist. Nancy's parents recognized her musical talent at an early age and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Nancy began her musical journey by learning the piano at the age of six. However, she soon discovered her love for percussion instruments and started playing the drums. She continued to play the drums throughout her high school years and even played in a rock band. However, it was during her college years that Nancy discovered her true passion for the marimba. Nancy attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she studied with renowned marimba player, Arthur Press. Under his guidance, Nancy honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the marimba. She graduated from the conservatory with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1980. After graduation, Nancy began her career as a professional musician. She performed with various orchestras and ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and the New York Philharmonic. She also performed as a soloist and gave recitals across the United States and Europe. In 1985, Nancy joined the faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she taught percussion and marimba. She also started teaching at the Boston Conservatory in 1990. Nancy's teaching style was unique and innovative, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the best marimba teachers in the world. In addition to her teaching career, Nancy also authored several books on marimba playing. Her books, "Four-Mallet Marimba Playing: A Musical Approach for All Levels" and "Intermediate Masterworks for Marimba," are considered essential reading for anyone interested in learning the marimba. Nancy's exceptional skills as a marimba player and teacher have earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 1997, she was awarded the Percussive Arts Society's Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2006, she was inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame. She has also received the Berklee College of Music's Distinguished Faculty Award and the Boston Conservatory's Outstanding Faculty Award. One of Nancy's most significant achievements was the founding of the Zeltsman Marimba Festival in 2001. The festival is a week-long event that brings together marimba players from around the world to learn, perform, and collaborate. The festival has become a significant event in the marimba world and has helped to promote the instrument and its music. Nancy continues to perform, teach, and write about the marimba. She has recorded several albums, including "Woodcuts," "Dance of the Octopus," and "Bach Preludes and Fugues." She also continues to teach at the Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory. In conclusion, Nancy Zeltsman is a remarkable classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music through her exceptional skills as a marimba player, teacher, and author. Her passion for the marimba has inspired countless musicians around the world, and her innovative teaching style has helped to shape the future of marimba playing.

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