Angela Zator Nelson, associate principal timpani and section percussion, joined The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999 as the first female percussionist ever hired by the Orchestra.
A native of the Chicago area, Ms. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where she studied with Patricia Dash and James Ross of the Chicago Symphony and marimba virtuoso Michael Burritt. During that time, Ms. Nelson was appointed principal percussion of the Civic Orchestra. She then earned her master’s degree from Temple University, where her principal instructor was former Philadelphia Orchestra member Alan Abel.
As a student, Ms. Nelson participated in the Tanglewood, Pacific, and Peninsula music festivals, as well as the National Repertory Orchestra. As a marimba soloist, she has performed with the Temple University Symphony, the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, the Main Line Symphony, and the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey.
Ms. Nelson currently teaches privately at home. She endorses Zildjian cymbals and JGpercussion.