Nelson began teaching at the University of Kentucky in 1996. He has served the department as Director of Graduate Studies, Chair, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Coordinator of the BFA Design & Production program. Prior to coming to UK, he taught for four years at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. While at ECU, he served as resident costume designer for the East Carolina Playhouse, the producing arm of that department. He received his MFA in costume design from the University of Iowa in 1992.  He is a member of United Scenic Artists.

Professionally, Nelson has designed costumes for over 100 theatre and dance productions since 1976. He has worked at Florida Stage in Manalpan, FL, the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY, the Strand Theatre in Galveston, TX, the world premiere of the Johnny Appleseed Heritage production of Johnny Appleseed, the American Living Room Festival in New York City, Ash Lawn Opera Festival in Charlottesville, VA, Actors Guild of Lexington, the East Carolina Summer Theatre, Mary Moody Northen Amphitheatre in Galveston TX, the Chocolate Bayou Theatre in Houston, Opera Theatre of Central Kentucky, Pizazz Productions in Los Angeles, as well as summer theatre programs at the University of Iowa and the University of Kentucky. His extensive technical resume includes work at Stages St. Louis as the men’s wear draper, the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX and the MGM Grand Hotels in Las Vegas and Reno, NV.