Violinist Nicholas Kitchen has performed throughout the world both as soloist and chamber musician, most significantly as founding member and first violinist of the Borromeo String Quartet for 30 years. In addition, he has extensively performed and worked on projects with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Library of Congress, and Performance Today, and has initiated many innovative collaborations, combining multiple forms of artistic expression with performance. A passionate educator, he often leads discussions enhanced by projections of handwritten manuscripts, investigating with the audience the creative process of the composer. He has lectured and given master classes across the globe, and has encouraged audiences and students of all ages to explore and listen to both traditional and contemporary repertoire in new ways. Teaching at the New England Conservatory of Music, he has pioneered the use of computers and page-turning pedals to make it possible for the Borromeo and students to always work from the complete score, which has allowed him to become involved in the serious study of composers’ manuscripts. He is Artistic Director of the Heifetz International Music Institute.
Composer Scott Wheeler’s operas have been commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera. the Guggenheim Foundation and White Snake Projects. His music has been performed by violinist Gil Shaham, conductor Kent Nagano, and singers Renee Fleming, Sanford Sylvan, and Susanna Phillips.
Scott’s music has been performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Boston Artists Ensemble, Washington National Opera, violinist Gil Shaham, conductor Kent Nagano and many others. Recent premieres include works for pianists Eliza Garth and Maxim Lando as well as sopranos Laura Strickling and Kristina Bachrach. In 2023 Scott appeared as pianist at Merkin Concert Hall, Bargemusic, Guarneri Hall in Chicago, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Villa La Pietra in Florence, Italy.