Caroline Nicolas

Praised for her “eloquent artistry and rich, vibrant sound” (Gainesville Times) and named “one of the finest gambists working today” (Gotham Early Music Scene), Caroline Nicolas enjoys an active career across solo, chamber, and directing roles. Caroline has appeared at major festivals including the Boston Early Music Festival and Bach Festival Leipzig, and in venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Berliner Philharmonie. Her debut recording, Pièces en solitude, was released by Avie Records in June 2026. A dedicated educator, she has taught at institutions including Yale University and the Peabody Conservatory, and at workshops including Viols West, the VDGSA Conclave, Cascadia Viols, and Pacific Northwest Viols. She has been featured in such publications as the Strad, Strings Magazine, and the Early Music America magazine. Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, she studied at Juilliard and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, and is now based in New York City. When not performing, she can be found reading, blogging on A Viol Situation, or watching Star Trek with her husband, lutenist Kevin Payne. carolinenicolas.com.