Ana Nelson started teaching for the department in winter 2025. A clarinetist, saxophonist and composer, she received the prestigious Presser Graduate Award from Indiana University (IU), which supported the recording of her 2022 debut album, “Bridges,” which charted on the Roots Music Report and Jazz Week’s Top 100.

Her career highlights include performances with the Louisville Orchestra, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, and with Michael Spiro and funk legend Bootsy Collins. Other notable performances include performing bass clarinet in Kryzsztof Penderecki’s “St. Luke Passion”under the composer’s direction, and recording the “Gennett Suite” with the IU Jazz Ensemble for WTIU TV.

Additionally, Nelson has collaborated with ensembles such as the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, where she was a featured artist for the Jazz at Helen’s series, and the IU New Music Ensemble. She is a recipient of the Earl Hines Outstanding Soloist Award which was presented by Wynton Marsalis at the inaugural Jack Rudin Jazz Championship for her clarinet performance.

Nelson holds a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance and jazz studies (saxophone) from Oberlin Conservatory and an Master of Music degree in clarinet performance and jazz studies (saxophone) from IU. At Cal Poly she teaches applied saxophone and music appreciation, directs the Saxophone Ensemble.

She is currently pursuing a doctorate in clarinet performance, and her principal teachers throughout her career have included Richard Hawkins, Eli Eban, Luis Rossi, Andrea Levine, Thomas Walsh, Gary Bartz, and Walter Smith III.

Nelson also serves on the applied music faculty at Cuesta College, where she teaches clarinet and saxophone. She is also the co-founder of the Virtual Woodwind Academy, an online program providing instruction in jazz and classical genres for adult learners, and maintains a thriving private studio.