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The American conductor, freelance-composer, baritone, producer and sound engineer, Matthew D. Nielsen, grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He received vocal and instrumental training in both jazz and classical styles. After spending two years living abroad in Ireland, he obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Sound Recording Technology from Brigham Young University (2003-2010); his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting (2010-2012) also from Brigham Young University; and his Doctorate of Music with an emphasis in Choral Music Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California (2012-2017).
During his studies Matthew D. Nielsen has served as an assistant conductor to the BYU Women’s Chorus, BYU Men’s Chorus and served as music director of the BYU Chorale and USC Apollo Men’s Chorus. He has conducted performances in venues such as Norwich Cathedral as well as London’s St. Giles-in-the-Fields, and St. John’s, Smith Square. He is Artistic Director & Founder of Brevitas Choir (since July 2013), rehearsing, managing, operating, recruiting for, and choosing literature for a professional choral ensemble. He has also received numerous requests to appear as a guest conductor. He has been active as a Freelance Composer since May 2007. He composes music on the side, mostly choral. He also takes an occasional commission. His music has been published with Walton Music and featured internationally on BYU Radio and American Public Media’s Performance Today with Fred Child.
During his studies, Matthew D. Nielsen has also sung multiple seasons with the USC Thornton Chamber Singers, Brigham Young University Singers, BYU Concert Choir and. He has sung with many esteemed ensembles such as Seraphic Fire (Director: Patrick Dupré Quigley), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Bach Collegium San Diego (Director: Ruben Valenzuela), and Kinnara Ensemble. As a soloist, he has studied with Karen Anderson & Jennifer Welch-Babidge and performed in Ireland, England, Germany, Ukraine & the USA.
Matthew D. Nielsen has been Visiting Professor of Choral Music at Utah Valley University in Orem (January-February 2016); Visiting Professor of Choral Music at Brigham Young University (January-May 2017); Interim Director of Choral Studies at San Diego State University (August 2017-May 2019). |
