Rolling with the punches, Nicole Chamberlain (b. 1977) has been flexible in carving out her own path in life and career. The initial plan was to become an animator who composed her own soundtracks, but it seems the original plan that 18 year old Chamberlain had set for herself did not turn out to be the dream she wanted after all. So at the age of 32, she left a career in web and graphic design to pursue the financially insecure life as a full-time composer and flutist. More than 10 years later, she plows ahead realizing this is the adventure she really craved.

The original plan included acquiring a BM in Music Composition and a BFA in Digital Media from the University of Georgia to attain the skills she needed to be a successful composer and animator. At UGA, she learned how to craft music compositions from Dr. William Davis, how to be a joyful and determined flutist from Dr. Ronald Waln, how to use technology to her advantage, and how to find her own unique voice in a crowded field.

In 2018, Chamberlain collaborated with flutists Dr. Mary Matthews and Matthew Angelo to release a debut album of her music "Three-Nine Line" released through MSR Classics and resulted in positive reviews that you, reader, will now have to endure. "The music of Nicole Chamberlain is exciting and vibrant." (The Flutist Quarterly) "Being a virtuoso flautist herself has informed her ability to write for the instrument with thrilling facility and endearing charm." (Gramophone Magazine) Chamberlain's music "heavily utilizes extended techniques [that] play into the theme or story of each piece to sonically enhance its meaning" (The Flute View) This has put her demand as a composer for the flute. She has had works performed at multiple National Flute Association Conventions, where several of pieces have won NFA's Newly Published Music Awards as well as the 2018 National Flute Association Flute Choir Composition Competition for Chivy. She also won the 2013 Areon Flutes International Composition Competition, 2nd place in the 2014 and 2016 Flute New Music Consortium, and 1st place in the 2015 The Flute View's Composition Competition. Chamberlain, however, has seen success beyond the flute community.

Shortly after leaving her career in web design, Chamberlain won "Audience Favorite" at the Atlanta Opera's first 24-Hour Opera Project for her opera "Scrub-A-Dub Raw" which resulted in the the Atlanta Opera's first ever commission of the children's opera, "Rabbit Tales", which received over 50 performances and gave traction to her career as a composer. Nicole has also been commissioned by groups such as the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Fort Dodge Area Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma Flute Society, Gonjiam Music Festival, Maryland Chamber Winds, Emory University Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Hopewell Middle School Symphonic Band among others. Chamberlain is open to composing for all instruments and ensembles, and will jump at the chance to take on new opportunities that offer different challenges.

Chamberlain attributes her composing success to her active performance career where she is able to perform, shamelessly self-promote, and record her own music. Chamberlain has been fortunate enough to evolve as a performer who performs locally in Atlanta as well as beyond. She has performed with Georgia Symphony Orchestra, LaGrange Symphony, Gwinnett Ballet, Georgia Ballet, Capitol City Opera, duoATL, Terminus Ensemble, and Perimeter Flutes. Not limiting herself to location, Chamberlain's favorite part of performing is traveling and meeting new friends as a guest artist to various universities and festivals. She has been a guest artist at St. Cloud State University, Kansas State University, Colorado State University, Savannah Flute Fair, University of North Alabama, and many others. Chamberlain loves to travel and has found that performing has been a fun excuse to do so. As a Powell Flutes Artist, Nicole has been enabled in this endeavor to perform her music to a wide audience and wouldn't trade in her Powell Conservatory 9K Aurumite Flute and a Powell Handmade Custom Grenadilla Piccolo for the world.

Currently, Chamberlain balances her time composing, teaching students, performing, and avoiding graphic design work as much as possible. She lives in Doraville with her husband, guitarist and composer Brian Chamberlain. The Chamberlains have their own independent music publishing company, Spotted Rocket Publishing, and two dogs who long to be social media influencers. You can typically catch Chamberlain on any of the many social media platforms where she spends an abhorrent amount of time. For more information visit her website at www.nikkinotes.com.