Critical Acclaim

New York City Opera – Madama Butterfly

Equally good was our Suzuki Nina Yoshida Nelsen, a recent graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, who sang with a completely even register - a near-impossibility in this role - and who found the lyrical moments to make this more a 'seconda donna' than a 'comprimario'.

Richard Garmise, Opera Britannia, April 9, 2010

The City Opera debut of Nina Yoshida Nelsen had to be heard to be believed. In a secondary role she was a primary vocal power both encompassing the beauty and tragedy of Puccini’s score. See her now before she gets snatched up next door.

Olivio Giovetti, Time Out New York, March 22, 2010

Nina Yoshida Nelsen sang Suzuki with a lush mezzo.  Her voice is large, but completely comfortable in its expanding tessitura. 

Susan Hall, Berkshire Fine Arts, March 22, 2010

Nina Yoshida Nelsen, a mezzo-soprano, was a steadfast Suzuki.

Steve Smith, The New York Times, March 22, 2010

Mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen, also making her debut, spent the night slightly hunched over as Suzuki, conveying her heartbreak with her voice.

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press, March 20, 2010

Nina Yoshida Nelsen sang an effective Suzuki, especially impressive in the Flower Duet and the penultimate trio.

John Yohalen, Opera Today, March 29, 2010

Academy of Vocal Arts - Lucia di Lammermoor

Nina Yoshida Nelsen contributed a vocally sensitive, positive Alisa.

David Shengold, Opera News

• Utah Opera - Le nozze di Figaro

• Nina Yoshida Nelsen kept the plot astir in her trouser role as the amorous teen page, Cherubino. No woman on the stage was safe from Cherubino's over-eager advances. Nelsen offset her character's naughty-boy silliness with a gorgeously expressive performance of "Voi che sapete," Cherubino's love-note to the Countess.

Celia R. Baker, Opera News Online

• As the love sick teenage page Cherubino, mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen was an absolute delight. With a fabulous voice that is gorgeously lyrical and with acting talents to match, she adds much to this production. It would have been nice, however, if her fawning over the Countess and Susanna had been a little more subtle, since it was a bit heavy handed. But nevertheless she nearly stole the show with her singing.

  Edward Reichel, The Desert News

  Nina Yoshida Nelsen plays Cherubino, the love-addled page, like an unruly puppy. Her singing is anything but undisciplined, and that's what makes the comic staging of "Voi che sapete," Cherubino's gem of a love song to the Countess, so magical.

Catherine Reese Newton, The Salt Lake Tribune

• Academy of Vocal Arts - Kát’a Kabanová

Nina Yoshida Nelsen is such a fine actress that she convinced us she was old enough to be Kát'a’s mother-in-law and that she was tyrannical and cruel. Her rich mezzo voice was outstanding.

The Broad Street Review

Opera New Jersey – Roméo et Juliette

The biggest surprise was mezzo soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen as Roméo's page Stéphano, who sang her single aria with great clarity, polish and an engaging stage presence.

The Newark Star Ledger

Academy of Vocal Arts – Così fan tutte

Mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen brought a blend of vocal verve and dramatic intensity to Dorabella.

The Courier Post