NICOLE HERRERA

VIOLIN/VIOLA COACH

Nicole Herrera began her musical journey at the age of 11 in Cartagena, Colombia, at the Comfenalco School of Music, studying both viola and violin under the guidance of Romanian instructor Izabel Mandache. She later pursued a bachelor’s degree in music performance at Bellas Artes University, studying with Diana Gutierrez. During this time, she actively participated in several prominent music festivals across Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia, including FEMUSC and the Guaranda International Music Festival. Her research dissertation, titled "Yoga for Violists: A Proposal of Exercises and Postures Based on the Discipline of Yoga to Improve Performance and Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries in Violists," received meritorious recognition and was published in the academic journal Presencias, Saberes y Expresiones.

Nicole received a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in viola performance at the University of Southern Mississippi. She studied with Dr. Hsiaopei Lee and earned also a minor in Music Education. She continued her participation in international music festivals, including the Vienna Summer Music Festival in Austria, and contributed as a performer and speaker at the 2024 American Viola Society Festival.

Nicole recently graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. She currently performs with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and teaches in their district school program. She also serves as a violin instructor for the USM Suzuki program. Nicole plays a viola generously loaned by the AVS viola bank.