BIOGRAPHY

Nicole Maldonado’s talent as a soloist has been a shining beacon throughout her career, earning her recognition and accolades. Her performances with the Conservatory of Music of PR Symphony Orchestra and her participation in the New York International Music Festival in the Isaac Stern room of Carnegie Hall in 2010, where she, along with the ELMERA Symphony Orchestra, brought home a gold medal for Puerto Rico, are testament to her musical prowess. Her journey continued as she entered the Conservatory in 2012, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in bassoon under the guidance of Adam Havrilla. Since then, she has been an integral part of the CMPR Symphony Band and Symphony Orchestra. Nicole’s musical prowess has taken her to different camps in and outside Puerto Rico, where she has been invited to offer master classes and seminars. Her achievements, including her gold medal win and her role as a soloist, are a testament to her talent and dedication, and her journey inspires all who hear it.

Nicole Maldonado’s musical journey has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, each adding a unique hue to her musical palette. Her deep passion for music led her to work and freelance with numerous ensembles around the island, such as the Bayamón Symphony Orchestra, the Arturo Somohano Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Puerto Rico State Band. She also ventured into education, working as a woodwind teacher and band conductor in the 100x 35 Music Program and the “Know Your Orchestra Educational Program” (PEDCO). 


Her most significant achievement before leaving Puerto Rico was being selected as a bassoonist of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra as a bassist auxiliary. Beyond her professional roles, she remains an active member of various musical groups, including the Aura Winds Quintet, the SACHII group, and the Conjunto Madeira Quartet. Her participation in Adoquín Jamming Nights, a musical project of the autonomous municipality of San Juan, further underscores her versatility and love for music. She has been part of numerous summer music festivals, camps, and orchestras. The IMANI Music Festival at Mannes School of Music and the Glickman Popkin Bassoon Camp; she has also attended multiple International Double Reed Society events and a tour with the American Wind Symphony conducted by Robert Austin Boudreau.

In 2018, she took a big jump on her career in a very positive way, joining the US Navy Band. Besides bringing her talent and representing the name of Puerto Rico and her culture, her mission now is to provide musical support to communities through ceremonies, national and regional tours, public concerts, and recordings. She and the US Navy Band inspire patriotism and enhance Navy awareness and public relations, supporting recruiting and retention efforts and preserving the Nation’s musical heritage while projecting a positive image at home and abroad. Recently, not only has she traveled to most states with the US Navy Band, but she also started her Master’s degree in Live Entertainment Management at the University of Miami, with the end goal of working for a non-profit organization or owning her LLC.  Leaving her family, country, and surroundings could be a big sacrifice, but everything she has worked so hard for has been rewarded musically and professionally.