Roman Nicki

(USA)

One of the most decorated saxophonists of her generation, Nicki Roman is known for “showcasing not only the breadth and potential of saxophone repertoire, but her own virtuosity and technique as a performer”. (Parma Recordings). She has been a prize-winner at prestigious competitions such as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo Competition, Music Teacher’s National Association Young Artist Solo Competition, William C. Byrd International Competition, and is the first saxophonist to be the recipient of the International Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship. As a concerto soloist, she has been featured with the Eastman Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Illinois Wind Symphony, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Wind Ensemble, University of North Florida Orchestra, and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Her debut album, Unquiet Waters, was released in Fall 2021 under Parma Recordings and Ravello Records.

Having performed across North America, Europe and Asia, Nicki has shared solo and chamber music performances at numerous venues throughout the globe including Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Rio All-Suite Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, Brevard Summer Music Festival, China National Centre for the Performing Arts, Université Européenne de Saxophone, and the Zagreb Academy of Music. She has presented recitals and masterclasses for students at the Brevard Summer Music Festival, Northwestern University, University of Arizona, UCLA, Oakland University, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State University, University of South Florida, Nazareth College, Mansfield University, Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, Eastman Community Music School, and more. She currently serves on faculty at the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Nicki is a member of Splinter Reeds, comprised of five innovative musicians with a shared passion for new music. The ensemble is committed to presenting top tier performances of today’s best contemporary composition, showcasing the vast possibilities of the reed quintet, commissioning new works, and collaborating with fellow musicians and artists. She is also a founding member of the award-winning Fuego Quartet. They have been successful in numerous competitions, including winning the 2017 Fischoff Gold Medal and prizes in the 2017 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. Their commission of ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award Winner Clay Mettens, entitled Ornithology S, received performances at both the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, World Saxophone Congress, and has received support from New Music USA. Their album, Migration, “demonstrates the versatility and complexity of the saxophone as it migrates through genre boundaries.” (Ravello Records). She has also performed with Present Music, Møthertung Ensemble, [Switch~ Ensemble], Ossia New Music and the Illinois Modern Ensemble. She has collaborated on several projects with Hal Leonard Publishing and has premiered over 40 works for her instrument.

Nicki proudly serves as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts. At UWM, she teaches applied saxophone, coaches chamber music, is the director of the UWM Saxophone Ensemble, and teaches courses on Entrepreneurship and Music Business. In addition, she serves as a board member of Civic Music Association of Milwaukee. She also presents clinics, recitals, and masterclasses at numerous universities throughout the year. During her summers, she serves on faculty at the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop and Institute. She has also taught at the Eastman Summer Saxophone Institute (ESSI), the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camps (ISYM) and the Young Saxophonist’s Institute (YSI). Her students have gone on to win prestigious competitions and awards such as the Music Teacher’s National Association Chamber Competition, 198th Army Band Chamber Competition, and the Thomas J. Smith Scholarship Competition. Since arriving at UWM, graduates of the saxophone studio have been accepted into prestigious graduate programs, summer festivals, and have had a 100% job placement rate in the Wisconsin Public School System. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the Eastman School of Music, and also holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and the University of North Florida. Her former teachers include Chien-Kwan Lin, Debra Richtmeyer, Dale Underwood, Michael Bovenzi, and Bunky Green. Nicki is a Conn- Selmer and Vandoren artist, as well as a member of NASA’s Committee on Gender Equity and the Competition Committee.