Dr. Lance Nielsen Bio

Dr. Lance D. Nielsen is a retired music educator and arts administrator. He served as the Supervisor of Music for Lincoln Public Schools where he supervised all music programs preK-12 including curriculum development, strategic planning, staff appraisal, and event planning.  Prior to becoming an administrator, Dr. Nielsen taught in both public schools and higher education. His teaching appointments included Associate Professor of Music at Doane University, instrumental music teacher at Lincoln East High School, Norris Public Schools, and Kimball Public Schools in Nebraska.

He served as the President of the North Central Division of NAfME, Chair of the NAfME Professional Development Committee, President of the Nebraska Music Educators Association, NAfME National Tri-M Chair, and NMEA Chair of Band Affairs. He has served on various boards including Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, the UNL Hixson-Lied Performing Arts College Alumni Board, and the Abendmusik Board. He is a Conn-Selmer clinician and a freelance music education consultant.

Dr. Nielsen received his Bachelor of Science in Education, Masters of Music with an emphasis in Music Education, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Music with an emphasis in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has published articles in Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and the ISTE Leading with Innovations journal.

He has been awarded the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Distinguished Service and Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award, the National Federation of State High School Associations Music Educator of the Year, the NMEA Distinguished Service Award, UNL Hixson-Lied Performing Arts College Outstanding Alumni Award, and was inducted into the NMEA Hall of Fame in 2016.