Critical Acclaim

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 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

• Livermore Valley Opera – Madama Butterfly

  Marvelous mezzo voice...

  The Oakland Tribune

• Opera Institute, Boston University - Idomeneo

  Appealingly direct and honest in tone and bearing...

  The Boston Globe