Nicole Cortero, pianist & violinist Nicole Cortero, began her musical journey at the age of three; developing a deep passion for the violin at three years old, and piano at seven years old. Her classical violin training has been shaped by esteemed mentors including Jeffrey Regalario, Mayos Esmilla, and Michi Martinez. While her piano studies were with the late Professor Nita Quinto and Professor Carmencita Arambulo while attending the Philippine High School for the Arts as a National Government Scholar. She graduated Magna cum laude from the Lynn University Conservatory of Music with a degree in Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Roberta Rust. She received her Master of Music in Piano Performance at the University of South Florida under the guidance of Dr. Svetozar Ivanov.
She has appeared in numerous concerts in the Philippines, United States, and Europe. She participated in festivals such as the Piano Teachers Guild of the Philippines Annual Festivals, Paulinian Music Festival, and PASINAYA Open House Festival. She was an alumna at the Baltimore International Piano Festival in 2017, Brancaleoni International Music Festival in 2021, the Prague Piano Festival in 2022, and the Walled City International Piano Festival in Derry, Northern Ireland in 2023 where she performed in masterclasses and concerts.
Nicole has a strong passion for teaching students of various levels and is committed to educating and inspiring young musicians through her nurturing guidance. She was a faculty at the Maryland Academy of Music, Boynton Beach School of Music, Dance, and Drama, Lynn University Preparatory School of Music, Baltimore School of Music, Tampa Music School, and her Private Piano Studio. She served as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Florida School of Music where she taught group piano classes to undergraduate students. At present, Nicole is a freelance musician and holds a private piano and violin studio at the Tampa Bay area. She currently studies violin under Dr. Christina Adams.
Outside of music, Nicole is the epitome of a whirlwind of fun and lovable chaos. She loves photography, eating, cooking, traveling at least once a month, and yapping endlessly with her friends. Never one to shy away from adventure, she’s tried (and hilariously failed) knee-boarding, skiing, and water skiing—and even attempted sailing with her partner Douglas and his parents, an escapade that earned her a mild concussion and a great story. She’s also an enthusiastic cat mom, regularly smothering their two beloved cats, Alab and Maya, with an overwhelming amount of affection (and maybe just a bit of harassment). Whether on stage or off, Nicole brings the same energy, curiosity, and joy to everything she does—infusing her music and life with humor, heart, and fearless creativity.