Dr. Andy Nevala is the Director of Jazz Studies for the David L. Walters Department of Music. Growing up with a father in the military, Nevala spent his life between Denver, CO; Boise, ID; and San Francisco, CA. He earned his BA in Music with a Jazz Piano Emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, as well as his MM in Theory and Composition. Nevala later earned his D.M.A. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Jazz Emphasis at the University of Colorado – Boulder.

The Spring 2022 semester marks Nevala’s eleventh year at JSU. This semester, he has been teaching Jazz Ensembles I, III, and IV, Latin Ensemble, History of Jazz, and Jazz Pedagogy while helping with two combos. Nevala says Jazz Ensemble I and the Latin Ensemble are his favorites, as “[they] play at conferences, high schools, churches – these groups can play anything.” He loves being able to witness the success of his students while teaching them. The diversity within the Music Department is what Nevala enjoys the most about it. “We are all from such different places, as faculty and students, and it’s awesome watching everything come together under one roof. The ensembles and performances are all excellent and varied. It’s an exciting time to be at JSU!”

Recently, Nevala and others were able to get the Jazz Performance Degree approved as part of the growth in the jazz program. He knows that this addition to the university will attract prospective students who may not typically think about enrolling at JSU. Nevala is currently working on a research presentation that studies the Cuban “Danzon” and will be presenting a concert in late August with musicians from Cuba and Puerto Rico. He said, “it will be ‘Hot Latin Action’ for sure!”

In the little spare time that Nevala has, he enjoys spending time with his family, walking his dogs, and performing music.

Nevala’s advice to students is as follows: “Don’t give up. Today’s obstacles are tomorrow’s successes.”

The Jazz Ensembles perform on March 7 at 7:30 pm.