Marla Nelson is an Assistant Choir Director at Forestwood Middle School and Shadow Ridge Middle School in Lewisville ISD. Marla is a classically-trained pianist specializing in collaborating with other musicians, who then went on to earn her teaching certificate from the University of Texas - Arlington, specializing in teaching choir. She has extensive experience working with choirs, small ensembles, and various vocalists and instrumentalists, both as a student and professional. She strives towards expressive, effortless playing in her own playing and in her teaching.

Originally from Lake Tahoe, California, Marla began accompanying at the age of 10 for her middle school's choir and continued to play for the group throughout middle and high school. She performed both solo piano and with several of her peers at local and state-wide solo and ensemble festivals, earning a number of high marks. Marla continued her studies at Whitman College, where she worked with various student musicians and both the Whitman College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra. She earned a degree in Piano Performance, graduating cum laude in 2011. Marla spent the following school year as a staff pianist at Whitman, performing with students. In the fall of 2012, Marla enrolled at Arizona State University where she earned her Master's Degree in Collaborative Piano in the spring of 2014. She has spent several summers playing at prestigious music festivals including Adamant Music School (2009, 2010) and Vianden International Music Festival (2013) where she was featured as a guest artist. 

Upon moving to Texas, Marla joined the staff at Collin Community College, where she remained on staff until the 2020 Pandemic. During the pandemic, Marla enrolled at UT Arlington, earning a teaching certification for the state of Texas, while continuing to run her piano studio and accompanying. She student taught at Rice Middle School in Plano ISD, before joining the choir program in Lewisville ISD.

Marla's past teachers include: Jackie Wood, Dr. William Chapman Nyaho, Dr. Gwen Beamish, and Dr. Andrew Campbell