Nancy Zeltsman
Boston, MA

Nancy Zeltsman is a leading marimba performer, recording artist, teacher, author and festival director. She has presented numerous recitals and marimba master classes across the United States as well as in Europe, Japan and Mexico.

Her recordings include three solo marimba CDs: Sweet Song (2005), See Ya Thursday (1999) and Woodcuts (1993); a marimba CD with Jack Van Geem, Pedro and Olga Learn to Dance (2004); and three CDs with Marimolin. During their eleven years together (1985-1996), the marimba/violin premiered nearly 80 pieces.

 In addition, Nancy has premiered dozens of marimba solos and mixed chamber works involving marimba. In 2005, she performed Michael Tilson Thomas' "Island Music" (as one of two featured marimbists) with percussionists of the San Francisco Symphony (at Davies Hall) and with percussionists of the New World Symphony (at Miami's Lincoln Theatre and New York's Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall).

In the same year, she premiered William Thomas McKinley's marimba concerto "Childhood Memories" with Boston Modern Orchestra Project. "The ever-astonishing Nancy Zeltsman," wrote Richard Dyer in The Boston Globe, "played with sparkling rhythmic inflection, stamina, speed, accuracy, and a full spectrum of colors."

Zeltsman is Chair of the Percussion Department at The Boston Conservatory and an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music. She has taught marimba at both institutions since 1993 in positions that were created for her. She is founder and Artistic Director of Zeltsman Marimba Festival, Inc., an annual two-week summer event (see www.ZMF.us). Zeltsman served as a judge for the International Marimba Competition for Students in Paris, France (October 2003), the Belgium International Marimba Competition (August 2001), and was one of twelve international players featured at The World Marimba Festival in Osaka, Japan (August 1998). Her marimba method, "Four Mallet Marimba Playing: A Musical Approach for All Levels," is published by Hal Leonard Corporation.

Nancy is a graduate of New England Conservatory where she was a student of Vic Firth. Prior to that, she studied intensively with Ian Finkel. She endorses Marimba One marimbas and the "Nancy Zeltsman Series" of Encore Mallets. Nancy lives in Boston, MA.