About

An engaging performer and inspired educator, Austin native Leah Nelson has become a highly sought-after violist. Leah has performed throughout the United States including Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall. As a chamber musician she performs and collaborates regularly with other artists in the Austin Texas area and was a founding member of the Left Coast String Quartet and Felix Quartet.  Leah enjoys working with a wide variety of musicians. Not only has she had the pleasure of sharing the stage with musicians such as Yo Yo Ma, Sarah Chang and Anne Akiko Myers, but she has toured with Andrea Bocelli and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Having the chance to perform with Barry Manilow, Willie Nelson, and recording with the Grammy nominated band Devotchka have been highlights of her career. Here in Austin Leah works frequently with composer Graham Reynolds. In addition to numerous performances with Graham, she can be heard on Graham’s commissioned work by Ballet Austin, Exit Wounds, as well as on the soundtrack to the movie Bernie, directed by Richard Linklater. For 2 years, Leah has had the opportunity to work with composer Catherine Davis as a featured violist on the Illusory Impressions Project, a series of performances that bring art, dance and music together in audience interactive concert experiences.  Leah regularly performs with the band Nori, and can be heard on their latest album and music video. She also recently performed on the Black Pumas new video release, Confines and Oct 33. In recent years Leah has been a featured performer on Forklift Danceworks production of Solo Symphony at the Long Center. As an orchestral musician, Leah has performed regularly with the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, the New West Symphony and the American Youth Symphony.

Leah began her professional studies at the University of Texas at Austin where she received a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance under the tutelage of Roger Myers. Ms. Nelson holds a Master of Music degree as well from the University of Southern California where she studied with the world-renowned performer and pedagogue Donald McInnes. In addition, Leah has also studied at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena Italy under the great Russian violist Yuri Bashmet.

Leah is passionate about serving young people with access to high quality music education. She believes in the power of music study to deepen young people's artistic skills, minds and hearts. Growing up in Austin Leah attended public school and benefitted from the high-quality music instruction in orchestra class starting in 6th grade. She attended Austin High School and had the opportunity to work with Robert Rudié, the founder of Salon Concerts as her string quartet coach in 11th and 12th grade. It was during those years that Leah developed a deep love for chamber music and small ensemble playing. While in Los Angeles, Leah was Director of the American Youth Symphony Educational Outreach Program and on faculty with Education through Music Los Angeles. She has performed and taught with the Austin Chamber Music Center and numerous other organizations in and around the Austin area. For the past 5 years, Leah held the role of Executive Director and Director of Education for Salon Concerts and the CHAMPS program. Leah continues to coach chamber music ensembles and has held a thriving private studio for over a decade. 

Leah is married to William Fedkenheuer, violinist of the Miró Quartet and faculty at The University of Texas at Austin. She is step mom to two wonderful boys and dog mom to Frizzy and Lola.