ABOUT
Nicole Frankel is a professional flutist new to the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, the Premier Air Force Band based in Colorado Springs, CO, since 2023. She performs with the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and the chamber group, Rampart Winds.
Described as demonstrating “a beauty of tone and lyrical sensitivity that [is] a balm for the tired ear” (Chicago Classical Review, 2022), Nicole is a dynamic performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral music. Nicole previously held contracts with the Rockford Symphony (tenured Second Flute) from 2015-2022 and Sinfonia Gulf Coast from 2019-2022. While a freelance flutist in Atlanta, she performed regularly as a substitute/extra musician with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Opera, and the Atlanta Ballet. She also performed with regional orchestras including the Albany, Augusta, Chattanooga, Columbus (GA), and LaGrange Symphony Orchestras. Prior to that, Nicole performed regularly with orchestras throughout Chicagoland, including the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
In addition to her orchestral career, Nicole is an avid chamber musician. A huge supporter and performer of contemporary music, Nicole is Flutist and Co-Founder of ensemble vim, an Atlanta-based new music collective with a mission to highlight the works of underrepresented artists in the community through interdisciplinary performances. ensemble vim has given premiere performances of multiple newly-commissioned works by southeastern composers, and was ensemble-in-residence at the University of Georgia Dancz Center for New Music during the 20-21 season. Nicole is also Flutist of the Chicago-based new music ensemble, The Zafa Collective. Zafa was formed in 2016 to provide a space to center the works of composers who have historically been excluded by classical music institutions.
Nicole has enjoyed touring and recording engagements throughout her career. As a member of the American Chamber Winds since 2011, Nicole performed on three international tours through venues in the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil, and has recorded on multiple albums released by Mark Records. In the fall of 2018, she toured and recorded as a Guest Musician with The U.S. Army Field Band. During this time, she performed on/recorded the album, Soundtrack of the American Soldier from Navona Records, which has received a GRAMMY Award for Best Immersive Audio Album following its November 2021 nomination.
Nicole has attended prestigious music festivals including the National Repertory Orchestra, Le Domaine Forget, and the Orford Academy. She has also performed at the Campos do Jordão International Music Festival in Brazil. During the summer of 2022, she performed at The Hamptons Festival of Music as a member of The New American Sinfonietta, soloing on Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Nicole won the Mid-South Flute Society College Masterclass competition in 2010 as well as the Florida Flute Association Advanced Masterclass competition in 2011 and 2012. She was a finalist in the Florida Flute Association College Young Artist Competition in 2012 and a quarterfinalist in the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition in 2019, also performing at NFA conventions in 2011 and 2018. Nicole has performed in masterclasses for Emmanuel Pahud, Robert Langevin, Carol Wincenc, Denis Bouriakov, Jill Felber, Jasmine Choi, and Jeffrey Khaner.
Nicole completed her M.M. in Flute Performance at Indiana University in 2014, where she was an Associate Instructor of Flute. Prior to that, she held the position of Third Flute/Piccolo in the Ocala Symphony while pursuing undergraduate studies at the University of Florida. Nicole’s principal teachers are Thomas Robertello, Jennifer Gunn, and Dr. Kristen Stoner.
Nicole has 13 years of professional teaching experience and is now accepting students in Englewood, CO. She previously maintained active private flute studios in both Atlanta and Chicago. Her cats, Tula and Izzy, often like to make an appearance during flute lessons. While in Atlanta, Nicole was on the Board of the Atlanta Flute Club, on the faculty at the Lovett School Conservatory of Music and ZTunes Music, and was Co-Director of the Flute Intensive of North Georgia from 2021-22. She is originally from Pembroke Pines, Florida.