Directory

Profile

Originally from Chelsea, Mich., guitarist Taylor Nelson has been performing and teaching throughout the Midwest for over a decade.

Taylor earned her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Bowling Green State University in 2014, where she studied with Chris Buzzelli. In 2018, Taylor completed a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Louisville, where she studied with Craig Wagner. While living in Ohio and Kentucky, she has performed with many world-renowned and regional musicians such as Doc Severinsen, Tamir Hendelman, Adam Nussbaum, Don Braden, Mike Stern, Wycliffe Gordon, Warren Wolf, Bria Skonberg, Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, The Original Farm League Big Band, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Tyrone Wheeler’s 502 Vintage Keys, Nomad Quartet, Mike Sharfe, Phil DeGreg, Paul Keller, Carly Johnson, Chris Fitzgerald, Dave Clark, Kendall Carter, Mike Hyman, Gabe Evens, Hamilton Pinheiro, Pedrinho Augusto, Ariel Kasler, David Bixler, and Jeff Halsey. 

Taylor is the Adjunct Professor of Jazz Guitar at the University of Dayton, where she teaches jazz guitar and modern guitar. She is also on faculty at the Cincinnati Public Schools Jazz Academy. She currently lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two daughters, and performs frequently in the Cincinnati/Dayton region.

Faculty perspective

"The University of Dayton offers a unique experience to students interested in studying guitar. My students come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, and have included non-music majors (beginners and advanced players), music majors with varying degree paths (music therapy, jazz, etc.) with or without guitar as their primary instrument, and even other faculty members (music and non-music). I enjoy teaching a variety of musical styles including jazz, rock, blues, funk, folk and pop, and I am flexible in teaching to the interests and needs of my students. I value helping my students develop a deep understanding of the fretboard, music literacy, music theory, improvisation, ear training, and listening skills. My jazz students have the opportunity to participate in the many jazz ensembles offered here at UD. Guitar lessons are for anyone and everyone at UD, whether you want to take one semester of lessons to see if it is something you are interested in, or if you want to study the guitar in depth for your entire time in school."