Nicolette Andres has created a musical career with breadth in teaching, performing—internationally, and continuing her own education through the Suzuki Association. Nicolette performs classical repertoire regularly, and has a particular passion for jazz, along with rock and folk music. She is driven to expand the voice of the violin in order to connect with multiple communities and capture audiences in different ways.
Nicolette earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. She studied with Dr. Maria Sampen and took courses in chamber music, jazz theory, and string pedagogy in addition to her degree courses. While in college Nicolette studied abroad in Cork, Ireland for six months where she took lessons in classical repertoire and jazz, and learned to play the Irish frame drum, the bodhrán. This is where she truly fell in love with folk music and communicating with her instrument.
Today Nicolette performs monthly as a member of long-standing, touring Steampunk band Abney Park, based in Seattle, WA. Recent performances with Abney Park include West Palm Beach, Seattle, Portland, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. In addition, Nicolette plays second violin in the ensemble Nexus Strings, based in Denver, CO, where recent programs have included Ravel, Radiohead, and new compositions. Nicolette has also performed at Denver’s jazz club Dazzle with gypsy swing band Chez CouCou and the Gypsy Jazz community of Denver.
Nicolette learned the violin by the Suzuki method beginning at age five in her hometown of Evergreen, CO. Nicolette was hooked on teaching the Suzuki method after her first training in 2011 in Seattle, and continues her teacher training each summer with close friends and mentors. Nicolette has mentored the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras and taught with the non-profit organization City Strings. In addition to her musical studies, Nicolette holds a 200-hour yoga certification.