Music is an escape, not a vocation, for cellist

When it came to music, Steven Sharp Nelson's father had only one requirement: His children had to learn to play instruments that were invented before 1800.

"So I started the violin at age 7," said Nelson, "but I quickly learned it was not my instrument."

One day his father brought home a cello. Young Steven sat down and played the theme from "Jaws." And he knew he had found his place. "I loved the cello. I felt so connected to it. I just didn't realize how deep it would run."

That connection has led Nelson to a secondary career as a cello player, doing studio and stage work with a variety of local musicians. He has been recorded on more than 100 local CDs and has recently released a disc of his own, "Sacred Cello," highlighting the versatility and sound of his instrument.

He could probably make a living as a musician, "but I choose not to. I want music to be an escape, not a vocation. I play with a lot of full-time musicians, and they have a wonderful life. But for me, I wanted to have a career in addition to music."

And so, even though he has a degree in music from the University of Utah, he currently works in real-estate development, something that allows him a flexible schedule for recording.

Nelson and his wife, Julie, have a 15-month-old son. "My favorite thing to do is spend time with them." If he has one bit of advice for would-be musicians, it's this: "Find a wife like Julie. Only wives of musicians understand what wives of musicians must go through. She gives me so much support. She's my inspiration, and every musician needs inspiration."

Nelson's also interested in graphic design. "And I love a good movie."

So, music is not his life, but it is a true passion. And for that, he gives a lot of credit to his mother. "My father's gift was the intellectual understanding of music as well as the determination. He never gave up on me — and he never allowed me to give up. Without him, I would not be playing the cello.

"Of course, we did get into some terminology debates. What he called incentive, I called threats," he jokes. "There's a stage for most children when they want to quit; when they'd rather be out playing with their friends. But he kept me going."