Lisa Nelson founded the Astoria Conservatory of Music in the Fall of 2002.  She moved with her family to Astoria in 2001 from the Lake Tahoe area where she had earned her Bachelor of Music degree and post-graduate teaching credentials at Sierra Nevada University.   While teaching choir and music for the Astoria School District, Lisa was profoundly affected by the events of September 11, 2001, and decided to start a music school.

Under Lisa Nelson’s direction, the Astoria Conservatory of Music, which began by offering lessons in voice, piano, and guitar, expanded its curriculum to include all musical instruments.

In 2022 dance and performing arts programs were added to the curriculum creating the Astoria Conservatory ~ Music, Dance, Performing Arts.