Nicolas Valencia

Born in Houston to Colombian immigrants, Nicolas Valencia has performed on stages across the United States, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.

Nicolas has held principal viola positions with ensembles such as the Music Academy of the West, the Fantasmi Ensemble, the New Spain Baroque Orchestra, Thornton Symphony Orchestra, Thornton Opera Orchestra, University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, and the UNT Opera Orchestra. Additionally, his musical engagements have also taken him to perform with the Capitol Ensemble, Salastina Chamber Music Series, Philips Collection Chamber Music Series, Canadian Brass Quintet, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Abilene Philharmonic, McKinney Philharmonic, and the Downey Symphony Orchestra.

Recently, Valencia was selected as a recipient of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Fellowship, and received the inaugural viola position in the Thornton Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble. He has also been selected as a finalist for the Keston Max Fellowship at the London Symphony Orchestra, performed the United States Premiere of Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Sola, and has served as substitute violist at the New World Symphony.

In addition to these engagements, Nicolas has made contributions as a guest recitalist and soloist. He has performed at notable venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Colombian National Museum, the Sanctuary of Monserrate, the Colombian Consulate in Houston, the Occidental College of Los Angeles, the Dallas Hall of State, and Oklahoma City University. He has also participated in concert tours in the UK, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bogota, Colombia.

Valencia is a current graduate student of Yura Lee at the University of Southern California, and received his Bachelor of Music degree under the tutelage of Susan Dubois at the University of North Texas.

Nicolas’s commitment to sharing his musical knowledge and skills extends beyond the stage. Growing up in a Colombian household, Nicolas brings a multicultural perspective to his musical endeavors. Since his youth, he has dedicated his time to music-related volunteering and teaching, and leading masterclasses on viola at institutions such as the National University of Colombia, University of Puerto Rico, Redlands University, and the Occidental College of Los Angeles. Nicolas has also served as a sectional coach for the Denton Youth Orchestra and a teacher for the Houston Youth Symphony Coda Program.