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Originally from Waterford, WI, mezzo-soprano Katiann Nelson, recently graduated from CU-Boulder with her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance, studying under Abigail Nims and Julie Simson. In 2023, she graduated from Carthage College (Kenosha, WI) with undergraduate degrees in Vocal Music Education, and Piano and Clarinet Performance. Katiann’s performance credits include “Mother” in Loveland Opera Theater’s Production of Little Red’s Most Unusual Day, “Mercedes” in Carmen (Act II), with Opera Fort Collins, “Dritte Dame” in Die Zauberflöte with Prague Summer Nights, “Hänsel” in Hänsel und Gretel, “Meg” in Falstaff, “Taller Daughter” in Proving Up, and “Chorus” in La Boheme (Opera Colorado, Aspen Music Festival). Performing various repertoire and programs, Katiann is also a 2026 Touring/Teaching Artist with Central City Opera. She has participated as a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition in 2025 and 2026 (Denver, CO), the Patricia Crump Vocal Competition (Milwaukee, WI), and the CU-Boulder Concerto Competition. She recently was named as a winner of the 2026 Colorado-Wyoming District Laffont Competition. Katiann looks forward to continued work with Opera Colorado as a chorister in Madama Butterfly.
In addition to her work as a vocalist, Katiann has a long history as a collaborative pianist as well. She worked for two summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts as a collaborative pianist in the high school voice and opera program, and currently works as the pianist/assistant director at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Boulder. Katiann’s earlier piano credits include winning the Carthage College Concerto Competition with Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto in C# minor, and working as a collaborative pianist in the inaugural Kenosha Opera Festival. Having recently finished her degree, Katiann maintains a studio of voice and piano students in Boulder and works as a pianist/coach for voice students at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
As a multidisciplinary musician, Katiann’s pedagogy values well-roundedness, longevity, and passion for the multi-faceted nature of music. Music is for everyone, regardless of age or experience! Of special interest to Katiann’s teaching and studying is highlighting the works of underrepresented composers – and ensuring that all students feel themselves represented by the repertoire they perform.
Originally from Waterford, WI, mezzo-soprano Katiann Nelson, recently graduated from CU-Boulder with her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance, studying under Abigail Nims and Julie Simson. In 2023, she graduated from Carthage College (Kenosha, WI) with undergraduate degrees in Vocal Music Education, and Piano and Clarinet Performance. Katiann’s performance credits include “Mother” in Loveland Opera Theater’s Production of Little Red’s Most Unusual Day, “Mercedes” in Carmen (Act II), with Opera Fort Collins, “Dritte Dame” in Die Zauberflöte with Prague Summer Nights, “Hänsel” in Hänsel und Gretel, “Meg” in Falstaff, “Taller Daughter” in Proving Up, and “Chorus” in La Boheme (Opera Colorado, Aspen Music Festival). Performing various repertoire and programs, Katiann is also a 2026 Touring/Teaching Artist with Central City Opera. She has participated as a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition in 2025 and 2026 (Denver, CO), the Patricia Crump Vocal Competition (Milwaukee, WI), and the CU-Boulder Concerto Competition. She recently was named as a winner of the 2026 Colorado-Wyoming District Laffont Competition. Katiann looks forward to continued work with Opera Colorado as a chorister in Madama Butterfly.
In addition to her work as a vocalist, Katiann has a long history as a collaborative pianist as well. She worked for two summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts as a collaborative pianist in the high school voice and opera program, and currently works as the pianist/assistant director at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Boulder. Katiann’s earlier piano credits include winning the Carthage College Concerto Competition with Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto in C# minor, and working as a collaborative pianist in the inaugural Kenosha Opera Festival. Having recently finished her degree, Katiann maintains a studio of voice and piano students in Boulder and works as a pianist/coach for voice students at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
As a multidisciplinary musician, Katiann’s pedagogy values well-roundedness, longevity, and passion for the multi-faceted nature of music. Music is for everyone, regardless of age or experience! Of special interest to Katiann’s teaching and studying is highlighting the works of underrepresented composers – and ensuring that all students feel themselves represented by the repertoire they perform.