Nicole Brancato makes music to unlock wonder. Fascinated with contemporary expressions of our shared human experience, the NYC-based pianist merges curation, composition, and performance in collaborations across the arts. Described as "brilliant" and an "immense talent" (New York Magazine and Connect Savannah), Nicole is "redefining the very notion of classical music" (Atención San Miguel). Her credits range from the Guggenheim Museum (NYC), Rai Italia (Italy), and the Banff Centre (Canada) to Lincoln Center, Bellas Artes (Mexico), HBO, and the “underground” performances in Brooklyn factories and warehouses.
An awardee of National Sawdust's Hildegard Commission (2022 Finalist), Nicole has curated more than 100 productions featuring 200+ compositions and commissions over the last decade. Described as a "piano virtuoso" (The Daily Gazette, Saratoga Springs), Nicole focuses on the kinetic energy exchange in performances — with both her collaborators and her audience. Such collaborations range from .soundfullness — a salvaged piano installation that transforms outdoor spaces into places of deep listening — to partnering with artist/author Sam Morris in "wait-list-only" performances at actor Alan Cumming’s NYC Club.
A frequent guest presenter of workshops, master classes, and residencies, Nicole has delivered sessions for the Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg, Germany; Lunigiana International Music Festival, Italy; for the Sphinx Organization; and for universities across the US. In 2022, she joined Seven Hills Chamber Music Festival in Lynchburg, Virginia as Director and a distinguished Artist in Residence.
