Nichole Young (M.M. Northwestern University; B.M. Northern Illinois University) is a Chicago-based harpist. Nichole’s love for the harp and her stellar performances have made her one of the most highly sought-after harpists in Chicago and northern Illinois. She specializes in performing for special celebrations, creating soundscapes that enhance the atmosphere for a moment in time that will be remembered and cherished.

​

When Nichole was a little girl, it was love at first sight when she first spotted the harp at a family visit to the orchestra and she knew she would play this beautiful instrument one day. She started playing at the age of ten through the harp program at her public school in her hometown of Freeport, IL. At the time, her school district was the only district in Illinois with the harp as part of the school's music program. After high school, she went on to receive both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Harp Performance, at Northern Illinois University and at Northwestern University, studying with acclaimed Elizabeth Cifani, the former principal harpist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.​

 

She performs regularly with many orchestras throughout Illinois and Iowa, including the New Philharmonic, DuPage Symphony, Elgin Symphony, and Rockford Symphony—and she previously served as the Principal Harpist for the Peoria Symphony. As an orchestral musician, Nichole has had the opportunity to perform with Itzhak Perlman, Audra McDonald, Joshua Bell, The Beach Boys, Celtic Women, Van Dyke Parks, & Lisa Vroman, amongst others.

​

Nichole is also an active teacher and is the harp instructor at Fox River Academy of Music and Art in Oswego, IL, the Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago, IL, and also at North Central College in Naperville, IL. She loves passing along her passion for the harp while guiding others.

​

As a multifaceted musician, Nichole loves to spend time in nature, practice ballroom dancing, and compose her own music. As a talented songwriter, working on lyrics has combined her love of music and writing. She also loves to paint and create visual art and DIY projects.

 

With a wide range in her own music taste, from French impressionist music to jazz to classic rock to pop, Nichole loves to take adapt many genres of music to be played on the harp. Her well-rounded scope and taste in music sparks her creativity.​

​

Through her light-filled performances, Nichole hopes to share her love of music and create special moments with the audience that transcend beyond the burdens and cares of the outside world.