Nicki Roman

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.

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], and Ossia New Music. She has collaborated on several projects with Hal Leonard Publishing and has premiered over 30 works for her instrument.

Nicki joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Fall 2024. Since 2018, she has served as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. At Milwaukee, she taught applied saxophone, chamber music, and courses on entrepreneurship and music business. During her time 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. In addition, she is a member of Present Music, Civic Music Association of Milwaukee, and is a saxophone consultant with Hal Leonard Publishing. She also presents clinics, recitals, and masterclasses at numerous universities throughout the year. During her summers, she serves on faculty at the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camps (ISYM), Great Plains Saxophone Workshop and Institute, and the Interlochen Saxophone Intensive. She has also taught at the Eastman Summer Saxophone Institute (ESSI) 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. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Eastman School of Music where she was the recipient of the Teaching Assistantship Prize, John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music, and a Performer’s Certificate.  While at Eastman, she served as Assistant Director for the world-renowned Eastman Saxophone Project (ESP). She also holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (MM) and the University of North Florida (BM). Her former teachers include Chien-Kwan Lin, Debra Richtmeyer, Dale Underwood, Michael Bovenzi, and Bunky Green. Nicki is a Selmer Paris Ambassador and Vandoren Artist, as well as chair of NASA’s Competition Committee.