First Presbyterian Church

Nelson was born in Baltimore, MD, the oldest of four sons. In 1957, the family moved to Orlando, FL, where his father began working for NASA. Nelson was a self-taught organist and pianist. He began working professionally at age 16.

• 1967-1980 - Nelson spent these years performing in Vienna, Austria and London, England.
• 1980 - Nelson moved to New York City, where he worked on Broadway.
• 1984 - Nelson entered Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, as an undergraduate Church Music Major. He graduated with highest honors in 1986.
• 1986 - He began his full-time music ministry at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla, CA,where he served for 5 years.
• 1991 - Nelson returned to Westminster to earn his MM in Choral Conducting. He graduated 1993.
• 1994 - Nelson was recruited to Santa Barbara by All Saints by-the-Sea in Montecito. He served there for 7 years.
• 2001 - Julie Neufeld hired Nelson as FPC's part-time organist.
• 2002 - Peter Buehler hired Nelson as FPC's full time Music Director and Organist.