Truesdail Studio

Nancy Truesdail

Pianist/Vocalist/Composer/Teacher

Nancy received High Honors in Music from Binghamton University in 2005 while studying under Michael Salmirs. Nancy has also studied under Bernd Stingl (Graz, Austria), Milan Franek (Prague, Czech Republic), Dan Foster (New York), and Carol Chen Ong (San Diego). She directed and performed multimedia productions at Binghamton University, “Philip Glass Blast” in 2001, and “Pure Myth” in 2003. While studying in Graz, Austria she performed original composition alongside the works of Samuel Barber, Prokofiev and Chopin in a philosophical collaboration, “Das Sprechen” in 2002.   She was featured as a guest artist for a solo piano evening at Hudson Valley Community College, NY, and performed a benefit concert for Tanzanian children’s health and educational supplies in 2005. Nancy has also studied music in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Graduating with dual degrees, Nancy is a Registered Nurse and has worked in many areas including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at USCD and currently for the San Diego Regional Center.

Nancy faced sudden tragedy in 2009 when her husband Don Truesdail was fatally wounded in a highway accident. During the years following, Nancy produced and preserved the songs and three concept albums of her late husband. She currently performs many of these works with her own piano/vocal arrangements. Nancy debuted these songs at the Athenaeum in La Jolla, CA. in 2012. Since then, she continues to hold regular musical tributes in San Diego and Binghamton, NY collaborating with the many musicians who have been inspired by Don.

Nancy has studied several languages and traveled to many different countries. After a six-month southern sailing voyage and having exposure to the rich Brazilian culture she discovered the poetry of the Bossa Nova. Nancy currently sings Bossa and Samba with a variety of local groups. Her style has evolved from a dynamic life of exploration, love and learning. She continues to perform on piano and vocally in the San Diego area and enjoys teaching piano from her Ocean Beach residence.

Eric Hagen

Cello

Actively performing in San Diego over the last decade, Eric Hagen currently plays with the New City Symphonia and the San Diego Festival Choir. He plays regularly with the San Diego Cello Choir and is an active cello-piano duo with Nancy Truesdail. He is a dedicated orchestral teacher for the Sweetwater Union High School District.

Paul Ruiz

Trumpet

A highly experienced performer and native San Diegan, Paul Ruiz. With his unique sound inspired greatly by Miles Davis, he continues to play with a variety of musicians in large and intimate settings.