Michael Nicolas
cello
Cellist Michael Nicolas enjoys a diverse career as a chamber musician, soloist, recording artist, and improvisor. He has forged a wide-ranging musical path, performing the masterpieces of the past in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and free improvisation in downtown New York experimental venues, to working with contemporary composers of all styles to push the boundaries of musical expression and meaning. He is the cellist of the genre-defying string quartet Brooklyn Rider, a member of the acclaimed International Contemporary Ensemble, and the ensemble Third Sound. As a soloist, Nicolas performs recitals and concertos across the globe. His album Transitions, available on the Sono Luminus label, was named Q2 Music Album of the Week at WQXR. His chamber music playing can also be found on the Naxos, Tzadik, and Universal Korea labels. Of mixed French-Canadian and Taiwanese heritage, Nicolas was born in Canada, currently resides in New York City, and is a graduate of The Juilliard School.