Nicolas, Caroline

Caroline Nicolas

Cellist and viola da gamba player Caroline Nicolas is recognized for performances that blend historical insight with vivid expressive power. Praised for her “eloquent artistry and rich, vibrant sound” (Gainesville Times) and named “one of the finest gambists working today” (Gotham Early Music Scene), she brings versatility across solo, chamber, and directing roles. She performs with leading ensembles across Europe and North America, including The English Concert, Philharmonia Baroque, Kammerorchester Basel, Ars Lyrica Houston, and Pacific MusicWorks, and has collaborated with artists such as Jordi Savall, William Christie, and Rachel Podger. She is Artistic Director of Ars Poetica and former Music Director of New Baroque Orchestra.

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 is a Fellow of The English Concert in America and winner of Juilliard’s Historical Performance Concerto Competition. 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, solving crosswords, or watching Star Trek with her husband, lutenist Kevin Payne. More information can be found at www.carolinenicolas.com.