Valeria Nollan and Alex Nollan have spoken and performed for over 100,000 people on 150+ stages at academic and corporate events. From conferences, seminars, and commencement ceremonies to private VIP recitals and non-profit celebrations, they have inspired audiences with their powerful and uplifting performances.
Valeria has given keynote presentations involving music and poetry at such major international locations as Rome, Italy; London and Coventry, England; Honolulu, Hawaii; Havana, Cuba; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Moscow, Russia. In the continental U.S. she has spoken and performed in many cities, including New York; Dallas; Memphis; Atlanta; Lexington, Kentucky; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Pensacola.
A recipient of numerous international grants, Valeria was a finalist for the Clarence Day Award for Research and Creative Activity. At Rhodes she chaired the Department of Modern Languages for eleven years. The Memphis YWCA honored her as a Woman Who Made a Difference. She has taught at Oberlin College, the University of Pittsburgh, Indiana University, Rhodes, and Texas Tech University; and internationally at Estudio Sampere (Cuba) and St. Petersburg State Economic University (Russia). Her activities as a career counselor and faculty mentor for creative activity shine through her sparkling interactions with audience members at the venues in which she gives keynote concerts.
Alex has performed as a professional jazz pianist for twenty years, leading music ensembles ranging from duos to quintets. He earned a B.A. in music at Rhodes College and studied jazz for three years on the graduate level at the University of Tennessee. Notable teachers of his include Michael Jefry Stevens, Gerald Stephens, Bobby Lyle, Tony Thomas, and Donald Brown. Brown, a six-time Grammy-nominee, is also his mentor and the producer of his debut CD, titled Stand (2019).
Alex performs regularly in Texas, Tennessee, and on the Gulf Coast. A composer and recording artist, he has won international awards from Downbeat Magazine and Unsigned Only (Top Ten in Jazz, 7,000 entries from 130 countries). He currently is working on his second CD, which will be produced by Donald Brown.
I’ve been amazed at the ear and heart he has for music. His ability to grasp the essence of whatever he is playing and insert his own unique sensibilities is brilliant! It has been great fun to get a glimpse into this immense talent.
~ Grammy-award-winning jazz pianist Tony Thomas
Below is Valeria and Alex’s Speaker Sheet, which contains their topics for academic, corporate, non-profit, and retreat events.
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I’m an educator, and I was so inspired in many directions by Valeria and Alex’s program. Their stories and music literally transformed my life and renewed my commitments to several major projects. I attend teachers’ conferences, and plan to highly recommend Valeria and Alex for any keynotes!
All I’ve got to say is this will not be your average event. I’ve booked Nollan Keynote Concerts many times and every time it’s entertaining, inspirational and powerful. They are professionals truly gifted with a talent and I would not wait long to book them for your event before they’re booked for another one of mine!
Wow! I attended one of Valeria and Alex’s events and saw its powerful effect on the audience. People were moved by the positive and memorable presentation and jazz music. It was so uplifting.