BIOGRAPHY

Violinist, Hardanger fiddler and folk artist Nicolette Andres performs and composes music that evokes and rekindles the joy and value of sharing music in rooms together. Whether she is performing on stages worldwide, playing for dancing, leading workshops or teaching, Nicolette’s passion for music and connection is at the core of her work. 

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​Nicolette began studying violin with the Suzuki method at age five in her hometown of Evergreen, Colorado. From a young age she was surrounded by the jazz and folk music her mom and dad listened to around the house. She found a strong passion for music herself, and carried that through her childhood and teenage years playing violin. Nicolette went on to attend the University of Puget Sound, graduating in 2015 with a B.A. in Music. In a pedagogy course with violin professor Dr. Maria Sampen, Nicolette's teacher and mentor for many years, Nicolette discovered how wonderful it felt to teach and share her love of violin with students in small, achievable steps. Beginning formal teacher training with the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2015, Nicolette built her own teaching studio. Since then, Nicolette has completed Suzuki training in violin units 1-7, Suzuki Principles in Action, and additional enrichment courses. She has more than 10 years teaching experience, with 4 years of teaching on the faculty of the esteemed Boulder Suzuki Strings school (Boulder, CO). 

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​Along with teaching, Nicolette has been equally pulled to perform. One of her most formative experiences that influenced this was studying abroad in Cork, Ireland in 2014. Nicolette learned from violinist and conductor Tom Crowley, and took lessons on the bodhrán (Irish frame drum) with Colm Murphy of the internationally known group De Dannan. She soaked up each moment of her time in this beautiful place, where as a musician she felt revered. 

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As her travel experiences were integrating, back at the University of Puget Sound Nicolette started studying jazz. In Ireland she got a taste of the style and technique from her violin teacher, Tom Crowley. Folk music and improvisatory music always interested Nicolette, and she was finally getting to explore this path. In Spring 2017 the world of improvisation and traditional folk music took center focus. Nicolette joined touring Steampunk and world music-influenced band Abney Park based in Seattle, WA. Nicolette performed with Abney Park for crowds of up to three thousand people across the world. She toured Denver, Atlanta, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia; and Niagara, Ontario. In addition to playing electrifying live shows with the band, Nicolette composed violin parts for Abney Park and did multiple sessions in the recording studio. She also sang backing vocals during live performances on tour. In addition to Abney Park, Nicolette also performed Django-style jazz, including two performances at world-renowned jazz club Dazzle Denver with the group Chez Coucou. 

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Now in the second decade of her music career, Nicolette is spending time finding her voice as a composer of her own original music - which often involves the Hardanger fiddle. Nicolette began studying the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle with Rachel Nesvig in December 2020, after hearing recorded music of the mesmerizing instrument. Through a program offered by the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America (HFAA), Nicolette was accepted to study and loan an instrument for two years. In May 2022 Nicolette visited Norway and the Ole Bull Academy, where she bought her own Hardanger fiddle from maker Sigvald Rørlien. Nicolette regularly performs Norwegian folk music for dance and listening, and performed as a dance fiddler at the HFAA Summer Workshop in 2026.

Synthesizing these diverse musical experiences in her background, Nicolette released her debut album in April 2025, which can be heard here. She composes and records music for film on violin and Hardanger fiddle, gives presentations to schools and libraries, and curates concerts in her home state of Colorado with other artists.

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To learn about new music releases, concerts, workshops and more, request to receive emails from Nicolette below.