About Mr. Nelson

Mr. Matthew Nelson is the Director of Bands at Mount Nittany Middle School.  In this position, he is the director for the 7th Grade Band, 8th Grade Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and is responsible for teaching instrumental music lessons to all 7th and 8th-grade band students.  Mr. Nelson is also the Co-Director of the State High Marching Band, and this is his eighth year in the State College Area School District.  Prior to his arrival at MNMS, Mr. Nelson taught 4th and 5th-grade band lessons at Radio Park, Spring Creek, Corl Street, and Easterly Parkway elementary schools. 

Mr. Nelson was recently recognized for his work with students as State College Magazine's 2023 Teacher of the Year and State College Orthodontics' 2023 Teacher of the Year!  Additionally, in 2023 the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) selected the MNMS Symphonic Band to be the only Middle School band in the state of PA invited to perform at the state festival in the Poconos, PA!  With only 5% of the bands accepted that send in an application, that's truly a gigantic honor.  Professionally, Mr. Nelson was honored to be sponsored and inducted into the International Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu: Nu Chapter, in 2024 by some of the finest band directors in PA.

Prior to his arrival in State College in August of 2016, Mr. Nelson taught at a few other schools.  Immediately prior to coming to State College, Mr. Nelson was the Director of Bands at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia.  In his three years at Colonial Forge (CF) the number of students participating in band doubled, while the students under his leadership achieved many milestones.  The CF Sound & Guard marching band grew to 123 student members and obtained 3 straight superior ratings at VBODA state assessment, the CF Wind Ensemble earned a superior rating at the VBODA state assessment three times in a row and performed grade level 6 music at a degree higher than almost any school in the state of Virginia, the CF Jazz Blue won first place and several awards (including first place band) at the Essentially Ellington Regional Jazz Competition in Arlington VA,  the CF Percussion Ensemble was accepted to perform and did perform at the VMEA state convention, the entire CF Band Program was named a Virginia Honor Band Program for all three years, the number of All-State Eligible students climbed from 2 to 15, and CF had more students than any other school in the district in any honor band offered.  Tremendous success led to an increase in student enrollment in band, and as a result, the school could boast three full concert bands, two full jazz ensembles, advanced percussion ensemble, and an award-winning marching band.  Mr. Nelson directed and hosted District 15 State Band Assessment at Colonial Forge in 2014, and was also the host and director for District 15 County and District Band Auditions in 2015.  

Before teaching at Colonial Forge, Mr. Nelson taught at Profile Jr/Sr High School in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.  During his 7 years at Profile, he did much to transform the music program into one of the finest in the state.  Because of these efforts, Mr. Nelson was awarded New Hampshire’s prestigious "Outstanding Band Director" award by the NHBDA (NHMEA) in 2008.  While at Profile Mr. Nelson taught concurrently as adjunct faculty at Plymouth State University in the area of his major instrument, the trombone.  In addition to leading the trombone studio, he was frequently a guest director and speaker at the university.  Mr. Nelson conducted Plymouth State University's 2011 production of the musical Chicago, served as the guest conductor for the North Country Regional Band in 2008, the North Country Regional Choir in 2012, and he was the site host for the North Country Music Festival at Profile in 2010.

Mr. Nelson completed his undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University in music education, with a minor in Psychology.  He studied conducting privately at Plymouth State University with Dr. Gary Corcoran where he also completed his Master's Degree in Instrumental Music Education with an emphasis on Jazz Instruction.  Mr. Nelson and his wife Kelly are both natives of State College Pennsylvania, and are proud parents of three children; Luke (age 12), Zoe (age 10), Sam (age 6), and one dog, Dug (age 1/2)!