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Steven Sharp Nelson
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Key Information
Steven Sharp Nelson (born July 5, 1977) is an American cellist. He is best known as "The Cello Guy"[1][2] of the classical new-age musical group The Piano Guys, with whom he has released eight number-one albums and dozens of music videos. He also has three solo albums to his credit. He is considered a pioneer in "cello-percussion", which enhances traditional cello playing with pizzicato and percussive techniques.
Early life and education
[edit]Steven Sharp Nelson grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah,[2] the son of John C. Nelson and Lynne Sanders.[3] His mother was a former professional opera singer, and she died from a brain tumor on May 21, 1999,[4] and his younger sister, Camille Nelson, is a folk musician.[5] When he was seven, Nelson's father decided that each of his children would learn to play an instrument invented before 1800.[4] Nelson tried the violin but discovered a passion for the cello.[4] He studied cello with teacher Kate Reeves and then with Ryan Selberg, the principal cellist for the Utah Symphony.[6][2] Since his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inhibited his attention span for long practice sessions, he began practicing on other instruments as well, including drums, guitar, and piano.[6][2] This led to his developing creative ways to play the cello: "strumming it, banging it and using pizzicato much more aggressively – using my thumb, fist, fingernail and palm".[2] He also began playing with different types of musical groups, including bands, orchestras, and string quartets.[6]
Nelson earned his bachelor's degree in music from the University of Utah in 2002.[7][8] In 2007[8] he earned a master's degree in public administration, as well as a graduate certificate in urban planning, from the same institution.[4][7]
Career
[edit]Nelson initially pursued a career as a real estate developer, becoming the owner of Thornton Walker Real Estate.[7][4] In his spare time, he played cello to accompany local musicians both on stage and in the studio. By 2006, he had played on more than 100 locally produced music CDs.[4] Among his musician partners were several pianists and a guitarist.[9] In 2006 he described his music as "an escape, rather than a vocation", and didn't expect music to become his primary career.[4]
In 1999 Nelson signed with Stone Angel Music, an independent record label in Salt Lake City founded by Paul Cardall. His first solo album, Sacred Cello (2006), entered the Billboard charts top 20 classical recordings and garnered a Pearl Award for Best Instrumental Classical Album.[10] His other two solo albums are Tender Mercies (2008) and Christmas Cello (2010).[7]
The Piano Guys
[edit]Nelson became a member of The Piano Guys in 2011.[7] The group was the brainchild of Paul Anderson, owner of The Piano Guys piano store in St. George, Utah, who sought an innovative way to promote his store via social media.[11] In 2009 Anderson saw a YouTube music video that local musician Jon Schmidt had uploaded "for fun",[12] featuring Schmidt on piano and Nelson on cello and kick drum performing a mashup called "Love Story Meets Viva la Vida", which combined the Taylor Swift country pop "Love Story" with Coldplay's Baroque pop "Viva la Vida". The video garnered over one million hits.[13] Anderson hired the duo to perform on videos that he would professionally film in unusual locations and upload to his store's YouTube channel.[13][11][12] Nelson brought in his neighbor, Al van der Beek, a songwriter and music arranger who had a home recording studio, to the project.[12] Tel Stewart assisted with video production.[14]
The Piano Guys gained their first widespread exposure with "Michael Meets Mozart" (2011), thanks to Schmidt's invitation to the nearly 30,000 people on his fan mailing list "to watch it and share it"; as a result, people began watching the videos beyond the region.[12] The video featured Nelson playing 100 cello tracks to achieve the final effect.[2] Nelson's video performances of "Cello Wars" (2011) and "Beethoven's 5 Secrets" (2012) debuted at number one on the YouTube charts.[7]
The Piano Guys signed with Sony Masterworks in 2012.[14] At that point they all quit their regular jobs to pursue their musical career.[11] The group has released eight number-one albums. As of February 2024 they have surpassed 2.3 billion views on their YouTube channel and have 7.09 million subscribers.[15] Their most popular video is a cover of Christina Perri's A Thousand Years, with over 223 million views.
Musical style
[edit]Nelson performs a variety of musical styles, including classical, folk, new age, and inspirational.[4] He is considered a pioneer in "cello-percussion", which enhances traditional cello playing with pizzicato and percussive techniques.[16] He owns 41 cellos, which he says produce different sounds and have different "personalities".[6] He also plays kick drum.[2]
He credits his influences as Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, and Victor Borge.[4]
Personal life
[edit]Nelson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[11] As part of his faith, Nelson served a mission to South Korea.[17] He considers his art and his touring as a means to spread the gospel; he says that he also gives away a copy of the Book of Mormon to someone on nearly every tour.[1] He and the other members of The Piano Guys, all LDS, pray together before each concert, recording session, and video shoot.[1]
Nelson and his wife, Julie, have four children and reside in Salt Lake City.[1] In 2017, he performed a duet together with his daughter Lucy, who sang, in the One Voice Children's Choir's music video of "Only Hope".[18] In 2018 he performed with his wife, who played violin, in a cover of "Rewrite the Stars".[19]
Discography
[edit]
Solo albums
[edit]- Sacred Cello (2006)
- Tender Mercies (2008)
- Christmas Cello (2010)
- Grace (2014)
The Piano Guys
[edit]- Hits Volume 1 (2011)
- The Piano Guys (2012)
- The Piano Guys 2 (2013)
- A Family Christmas (2013)
- Wonders (2014)
- Live!: Carnegie Hall Audio + Red Rocks Concert Video (2015)
- Uncharted (2016)
- Christmas Together (2017)
- Limitless (2018)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d McBride, Madison (March 10, 2016). "'The Cello Guy' strives to be a missionary to the world". The Daily Universe. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Baker, Celia R. (May 4, 2012). "The Piano Guys: Marketing their music to the online masses". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Collins, Lois M. (June 8, 2014). "Father knows best: Notable personalities on what they learned from their dads". Deseret News. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Wadley, Carma (October 8, 2006). "Music is an escape, not a vocation, for cellist". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Arkell, Ben (November 12, 2017). "Camille Nelson Releases Her Latest Music Video, 'Israel, Israel God Is Calling'". Called to Share. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Basha, Esther (June 22, 2018). "Featured Interview: The Piano Guys – From YouTube to World Tour". Piano Performer Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "University of Utah Alumni Association awards $550,000 in scholarships and honors Piano Guys cellist and U professor (press release)". University of Utah. April 6, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "U. to honor Piano Guys musician, professor". Deseret News. April 6, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Carma Wadley (November 16, 2008). "Utah pianist, cellist working together to make beautiful music". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "A-List Performances at the Podium". Manila Bulletin. February 24, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d Weiss, Geoff (March 27, 2015). "How These Four Dads From Utah Quit Their Day Jobs to Make Millions on YouTube". Entrepreneur. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Bonfiglio, Jeremy D. (September 22, 2016). "The Piano Guys are doing better than 'Okay'". The Herald-Palladium. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "Jon Schmidt – The Piano Guys' Piano Guy". Yamaha Entertainment Group. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^ a b della Cava, Marco R. (September 5, 2012). "Web hit Piano Guys sign with Sony". USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^ Hudy, Stan (August 8, 2018). "Review: A mesmerizing evening with The Piano Guys". The Record. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Steven Sharp Nelson". Get Song BPM. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Bowler, Hillary (December 16, 2013). "The Piano Guys: 4 Dads on a Mission". Deseret News. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Arkell, Ben (2017). "Cellist From The Piano Guys Stars In 'Favorite Video To Date'". Called to Share. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ "Rewrite the Stars – Violin/Cello Version (from the Greatest Showman) – The Piano Guys". The Piano Guys. 2018. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Steven Sharp Nelson at IMDb
- "Beethoven's 5 Secrets – One Republic – The Piano Guys” (2012 music video)
- "The Cello Song – (Bach is back with 7 more cellos) – The Piano Guys" (2011 music video)
- "Michael Meets Mozart – 1 Piano, 2 Guys, 100 Cello Tracks – The Piano Guys" (2011 music video)
- "Cello Wars (Star Wars Parody) Lightsaber Duel – The Piano Guys" (2011 music video)
Steven Sharp Nelson
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early life
Steven Sharp Nelson was born on July 5, 1977, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up in a musical household as the son of John C. Nelson and Lynne Sanders Nelson, a professional opera singer who passed away on May 21, 1999, after an 18-year battle with a brain tumor. His family environment fostered an early appreciation for music, with all six siblings engaging in instrumental performance, creating a supportive backdrop for his budding interests. At the age of 7, Nelson began playing the cello, marking the start of his lifelong dedication to the instrument. His initial studies were guided by teacher Kate Reaves, whose patient approach helped him navigate challenges associated with ADHD, including difficulties with sustained focus during practice. He later continued early training under Ryan Selberg, the principal cellist of the Utah Symphony, who emphasized rigorous technique. Nelson's childhood musical experiences were shaped by familial encouragement, as his parents urged him to persist despite initial struggles and external suggestions to abandon the instrument. This home influence, combined with exposure to orchestral performances, ignited his passion and improvisation skills, transforming potential obstacles into creative strengths. These foundational years prepared him for more structured musical training in adolescence.Education
Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of Utah in 2002, where his studies centered on cello performance and classical training within the university's College of Fine Arts.[7][8] He continued his education at the same institution, obtaining a Master of Public Administration degree in 2007, along with a graduate certificate in urban planning.[7][8] In recognition of his achievements as an alumnus, Nelson received the Par Excellence Award from the University of Utah Alumni Association's Young Alumni Board in 2015.[7][8]Career
Early career
Following his graduation from the University of Utah, Steven Sharp Nelson balanced a career in real estate with musical pursuits, performing locally in Utah and engaging in session work as a cellist.[7] He had begun collaborating with pianist Jon Schmidt at age 15, when they shared the stage at a concert, leading to frequent joint performances that highlighted their complementary styles and built a lasting musical partnership.[9] These early gigs included appearances in venues across Utah, such as St. George, where Nelson's emotive cello playing resonated with audiences.[9] Nelson's solo career gained momentum with the release of his debut album, Sacred Cello, in 2006, featuring classical arrangements of sacred and inspirational pieces performed on cello.[10] This was followed by Tender Mercies in 2008, a collection emphasizing spiritual themes through the cello's resonant tones, and Christmas Cello in 2010, which offered fresh instrumental interpretations of holiday classics like "Carol of the Bells" and "Simple Gifts."[11][12] Throughout this period, Nelson pioneered "cello-percussion" techniques in his solo performances and recordings, integrating percussive elements like tapping and strumming the instrument's body with traditional bowing and pizzicato to create rhythmic, dynamic layers.[13] His innovative approach extended to session collaborations, including soloing with professional ensembles such as the China Philharmonic Orchestra in a 2009 project.[13] These efforts established Nelson as a versatile cellist in Utah's local music scene before broader recognition.The Piano Guys
Steven Sharp Nelson joined The Piano Guys in 2011, marking a pivotal moment in the group's evolution from informal collaborations to a formalized ensemble. The group originated in Paul Anderson's piano store in St. George, Utah, where Anderson, a videographer and store owner, began partnering with pianist Jon Schmidt and producer Al van der Beek to create engaging music videos as a marketing tool. Nelson's addition as the cellist completed the core lineup, transforming their experimental mashups into a signature sound that blended classical elements with contemporary genres.[9][14] As "The Cello Guy," Nelson serves as the primary cellist and co-songwriter alongside Schmidt, van der Beek, and Anderson, contributing innovative arrangements that highlight the cello's versatility in both melodic and percussive roles. His cello work is central to their "classicool" style—a term the group coined to describe their fusion of classical music with pop, rock, and cinematic influences, aiming to make orchestral sounds accessible and energetic for modern audiences. Nelson's arrangements often drive the emotional depth of their pieces, such as the haunting cello lines in their cover of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years," which showcases sweeping, romantic phrasing, and the dynamic, dueling cello-violin interplay in their rendition of "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman. These contributions have helped define the group's viral appeal, with videos emphasizing Nelson's expressive playing in visually stunning locations.[9][15][16] The Piano Guys achieved significant milestones under Nelson's involvement, including eight number-one albums on the Billboard Classical Albums chart, such as The Piano Guys (2012), Wonders (2014), and Limitless (2018). Their YouTube channel amassed over 2.3 billion views by February 2024, fueled by hundreds of millions of streams for individual videos that exemplify their pioneering approach to multimedia music presentation. These accomplishments underscore Nelson's role in elevating the group from a local Utah act to a global phenomenon.[17][18][19] From 2011 to 2024, The Piano Guys embarked on extensive worldwide tours, performing sold-out shows across the United States, Canada, Europe (including the UK and Germany), Asia (Japan and Korea), Australia, and other regions, often incorporating elaborate staging that integrated their videos with live cello and piano performances. Nelson's high-energy cello solos became a highlight of these concerts, drawing millions of fans and reinforcing the group's reputation for innovative live experiences that bridge classical traditions with pop culture.[20][15]Recent developments
In 2025, The Piano Guys continued to expand their digital footprint, with their YouTube channel reaching 7.09 million subscribers and accumulating billions of views through innovative music videos.[21] Their content also maintained strong streaming performance, exceeding 3 million daily streams across platforms like YouTube Music.[22] This growth was bolstered by releases such as the visualizer for "When You're Gone" on September 25, 2025, which quickly garnered tens of thousands of views.[23] The group announced a limited tour schedule for the 2024-2025 season early in the year, including a performance on March 14 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon, where they delivered their signature blend of classical and contemporary arrangements.[24] Additional dates, such as the November 8, 2024, show at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, highlighted their ongoing commitment to live audiences before a pivotal shift.[25] However, on August 1, 2025, Steven Sharp Nelson announced a personal break from touring and group business to prioritize health, family, and undisclosed special projects, marking a transitional phase for the ensemble.[26] Amid these changes, Nelson remained active in select appearances, including a collaborative performance with pianist Jon Schmidt at the Faith Matters Restore event on July 31, 2025, where they contributed to a program focused on faith, creativity, and personal growth. Nelson also joined Jon Schmidt for a performance at a Young Single Adult conference on August 31, 2025, featuring music alongside Bishop Gérald Caussé.[27][28] While details on post-2024 solo endeavors remain forthcoming, the announced special projects suggest potential new musical explorations outside the group's core activities.[26]Musical style and innovations
Style and influences
Steven Sharp Nelson's musical style primarily encompasses classical crossover and new-age genres, where he innovates on the cello to fuse traditional classical techniques with contemporary arrangements and soundscapes.[29][30] This approach allows him to reinterpret classical pieces alongside modern pop and inspirational themes, creating accessible yet sophisticated compositions that appeal to diverse listeners.[3] His artistic influences draw from renowned figures such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma for masterful expressiveness, vocalist Bobby McFerrin for improvisational freedom, and comedian-pianist Victor Borge for blending humor with musicality.[31] These inspirations inform Nelson's philosophy of "classicool music," a term he uses to describe the seamless integration of classical foundations with modern, engaging elements to revitalize the genre and inspire joy.[32] Central to his expressive style is his ownership of multiple cellos, each selected for its distinct tone and "personality," enabling nuanced variations in sound that enhance emotional depth in performances. Over his career, Nelson's style has evolved from introspective solo works, such as his sacred cello albums emphasizing reflective new-age themes, to dynamic group collaborations that amplify his innovations through layered arrangements.[3]Techniques
Steven Sharp Nelson is recognized as a pioneer in "cello-percussion," an innovative approach that integrates traditional lyrical cello playing with percussive elements to create drum-like sounds such as kick drums, snare drums, and timpani directly from the instrument.[3] This technique draws from his experience with guitar and percussion, allowing him to produce a wide array of unconventional textures, including imitations of a trombone, oboe, Chinese fiddle, Indian sitar, and saxophone, all achieved through modifications to wood, carbon fiber, steel, and electric cellos.[3] A hallmark of Nelson's method is his extensive use of pizzicato, often combined with percussive strikes on the cello's body and strings to generate rhythmic drive and layered effects in performances. He complements this with unconventional bowing techniques, such as altered bow pressures and angles to evoke friction-based sounds or hybrid timbres that blend bowed sustain with percussive attacks, expanding the cello's expressive palette beyond classical norms.[3] These elements are frequently multi-tracked in recordings, where Nelson layers dozens of cello parts to simulate orchestral sections or novel ensembles. In adaptations for video productions, particularly with The Piano Guys, Nelson tailors his techniques to enhance visual storytelling, using modified cellos to generate nearly all sound effects and instrumental layers on set, which supports synchronized filming and post-production editing. For instance, in the group's arrangement of "Carol of the Bells," Nelson composed and performed a 12-cello version that employs hemiola—shifting between 3/4 and 4/4 meters—to build tension, incorporating pizzicato rhythms and percussive hits to mimic bells and drive the energetic canon, all captured through multi-tracking during outdoor shoots in Utah's canyons.[33][3] These innovations have significantly broadened the cello's versatility in modern musical contexts, enabling its use in crossover genres like new-age, cinematic, and pop arrangements, and inspiring other musicians to explore the instrument's percussive potential for live and recorded media.[3]Personal life
Religious life
Steven Sharp Nelson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith tradition that has profoundly shaped his personal values and practices since childhood. Raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a devout family, Nelson's early life was steeped in church teachings that emphasized joy, agency, and creative expression as divine gifts, influencing his initial dedication to cello studies under his father's guidance—a violist who tied musical practice to spiritual growth and family bonding.[34] During young adulthood, shortly after high school graduation around 1995, Nelson served a two-year full-time mission for the church in South Korea, postponing further formal education until after his return; he later completed a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Utah in 2002. This service, a key rite of passage in Latter-day Saint culture for young men, reinforced his reliance on faith for perseverance and direction, informing decisions like prioritizing spiritual service before advancing his musical training.[35][36]Family and residence
Steven Sharp Nelson is married to Julie Nelson. The couple has four children and maintains a close-knit family life centered in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they reside.[37] Nelson's family plays a vital role in supporting his career, offering emotional grounding during periods of intense travel and performance demands with The Piano Guys. This support has been particularly evident in their involvement in occasional musical collaborations, such as duets featuring family members.[37][38] In November 2024, Nelson's son was called to serve a mission in South Korea, mirroring his father's own mission there three decades prior.[39] In 2025, Nelson stepped back from touring and group business to emphasize family priorities alongside his health, underscoring the centrality of home life to his personal fulfillment.[26]Discography
Solo albums
Steven Sharp Nelson released his debut solo album, Sacred Cello, in 2006, featuring contemplative arrangements of classical and sacred pieces performed primarily on unaccompanied cello with orchestral backing in select tracks.[40] Produced by Paul Cardall and released through Stone Angel Music, the album includes 12 tracks spanning 46 minutes, such as Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," a cello adaptation of Debussy's "Clair de Lune," "The Water Is Wide," and "Be Still My Soul."[41][42] The work emphasizes emotional depth through Nelson's mastery of tempo and dynamic contrasts, drawing praise for evoking strong sentiment from familiar repertoire.[40] It reached the top 20 on Billboard's classical albums chart and earned a Pearl Award for Best Instrumental Classical Album in 2007.[43] In 2008, Nelson followed with Tender Mercies: Sacred Cello, a 10-track collection of inspirational hymns and sacred arrangements totaling 50 minutes, continuing his focus on spiritual themes with cello at the forefront.[44] Released via HeartBeat Records, the album features collaborations with artists including pianist Jon Schmidt, composer Paul Cardall, and others, highlighting pieces like the title track "Tender Mercies," "Lead, Kindly Light," "Come, Come Ye Saints," and "Praise to the Man."[45][46] Reviewers noted its serene orchestral elements and captivating solo openings, with one describing it as a "gorgeous recording" that blends deep cello tones with moving music ideal for reflection.[11] The album received a perfect 5/5 rating from customers on Deseret Book, praising its exquisite arrangements and emotional power.[11] Nelson's third solo effort, Christmas Cello, arrived in October 2010 as a holiday-themed release with 11 tracks of seasonal favorites reimagined through multi-tracked cello ensembles, often up to 16 cellos for lush textures.[47] Self-produced and distributed via his own label, it balances traditional carols like "Silent Night" and syncopated takes on "Carol of the Bells" with unconventional selections such as "Simple Gifts" and Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," creating an appealing variety of festive and reflective moods.[48][49] The album garnered positive reception for its innovative percussion-infused cello sound, earning a 4.8/5 average from over 160 Amazon reviews that highlighted its beautiful winter arrangements and suitability as seasonal listening.[48] It has become a recurring favorite for holiday playlists, though specific sales data remains unavailable. In 2014, Nelson released Grace: A Sacred Cello Collection, a 12-track compilation of his best arrangements and original scores from previous Stone Angel Music productions, featuring contemplative sacred pieces like "The Traveler," "Come, Come Ye Saints," and "Tender Mercies," with orchestral elements and collaborations including pianist Paul Cardall. Running 49 minutes, the album emphasizes reflective and inspirational themes through Nelson's cello performances, receiving praise for its serene and emotionally resonant sound ideal for meditation.[51]The Piano Guys contributions
Steven Sharp Nelson serves as the primary cellist for The Piano Guys, providing the instrumental foundation through his cello performances on every track across the group's discography. His role extends beyond performance, encompassing co-arrangements and co-writing for numerous pieces that blend classical elements with contemporary pop and cinematic influences. Nelson's cello work is integral to the group's signature sound, often featuring innovative techniques such as multi-tracked cello layers and percussive effects derived from the instrument.[52][3] The Piano Guys have achieved eight number-one albums on the Billboard Classical Albums or New Age Albums charts, all featuring Nelson's cello contributions. These include:| Album Title | Release Year | Peak Position and Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|
| The Piano Guys | 2012 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums and New Age Albums |
| The Piano Guys 2 | 2013 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums and New Age Albums |
| A Family Christmas | 2013 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums and New Age Albums |
| Wonders | 2014 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums |
| Uncharted | 2016 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums |
| Christmas Together | 2017 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums and New Age Albums |
| Limitless | 2018 | No. 1 debut on Billboard Classical Albums[15] |
| 10 | 2020 | No. 1 on Billboard Classical Albums |
References
- https://www.[allmusic](/page/AllMusic).com/album/grace-a-sacred-cello-collection-mw0002643703
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