Chorus Accompanist

Pamela Nelson – Accompanist

Pamela Ohlandt Nelson began her musical training at the age of 7. A native Charlestonian, she studied with Carsten Jantzen, a graduate of the renowned Juilliard School of Music. Under his direction she performed annual solo recitals which included works from the baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary periods. She also competed annually in the MTNA competitions, placing first and representing the state in regional events. Her high school years offered her an opportunity to compete for, and win, performances with the Florence Symphony Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

For college, Pamela received a full music scholarship to Converse College, studying with John Erickson of the Eastman School of Music. While there as a freshman, she won first place again in the statewide MTNA competition. She won the rights to perform with the Spartanburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Brevard Orchestra. In 1976 she graduated with Honors, earning a BMus in Piano Performance, and completed the additional curriculum earning her the Distinction in Performance certificate.

She married in 1976, moving back to Charleston, where she taught piano lessons and served as a church musician for many years. There she met Lon Shull, former Director of the Charleston Men’s Chorus, who invited her to be their accompanist in 1994.

Mrs. Nelson was in the banking industry most of her adult life. Along with her husband, she is now retired and lives in Barnwell, SC, with her 4 horses. She enjoys traveling and spending time with friends on the trails. She is very involved with her church community, has served with Samaritan’s Purse in Kentucky, and Baptists on Mission in Poland.

Mrs. Nelson and her husband have one daughter, a son-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren who reside in Charleston.

Adam Shepherd – Assistant Conductor

Adam Shepherd serves as the Worship Leader at New Covenant Church in Summerville. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Church Music from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he performed with the Lee University Campus Choir, Power Unlimited, and the Lee Singers.

Adam has been a member of the Charleston Men’s Chorus since 2015 and has served as Associate Conductor since 2020.

In addition to ministry and musical work, Adam is a Realtor with Palmetto Premier Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, serving clients across the Charleston area.

Prior to joining New Covenant, Adam served as a Professor of Music at the Church of God European Theological Seminary in Kniebis, Germany.