As musicians, we often have more in common than we have different. On a fundamental level, our brains are somehow wired in the same way. So, when Nicole told me she was the kid who never liked talking much to people but preferred to sing instead; I knew exactly what she meant. 

She began pursuing Opera and Theatre at the age of 12 but her heart has always wanted to create and produce her own music. However, as the years went by she began to realize that the “safe” route wasn’t in music production. As she progressed through college she felt the need to choose. The decision was between Opera or more contemporary styles of music. She ended up choosing Opera. Nicole has a degree in Vocal Performance with a minor in Musical Theatre. 

After graduating in 2020 and dealing with the craziness of the pandemic she decided to take a leap of faith. She moved to New York in 2021 to pursue musical theatre. Despite her best efforts to embrace the starving artist grind, she actually ended up not doing any musical theatre at all. Instead, she started doing exactly what she wanted to; music production. 

Nicole moved back to Texas and that’s where we find ourselves today. She got a job with Lessons In Your Home as a full-time teacher. She is also gigging and producing her own music. While she never saw herself as a music teacher, she discovered that she has an enormous passion for it. Nicole has a knack for teaching smaller children. At this impressionable stage of life, it is easy to cultivate a strong love for music creation with the next generation. 

With younger kids, when they discover new ways of expressing themselves, it shapes the way they think about life moving forward. This is also the time when they haven’t developed any insecurities about self-expression which, Nicole says, is a perfect time to develop new creative habits. 

As we all know, not every lesson goes to plan. Students can be frustrated, tired, distracted, or even just bored. Nicole has found that staying calm no matter the circumstance goes so much farther than anything else. Patience with students is one of the best qualities a teacher can possess. If a student is getting frustrated, lower the stakes. Music is about having fun at the end of the day. We’re trying to cultivate a love of music more than we are trying to make the next Beethoven. Following a structure and using a variety of resources is a great way to keep the lessons fresh while adding an element of flexibility. 

Nicole has recently released some music which you can find on all streaming platforms under the name “Nicole Maridan.” With her latest releases, Nicole is finally giving her own music the spotlight it deserves, exploring themes of self-acceptance and the journey back to her true passion as a singer-songwriter. After years of setting her craft aside for practicality, she’s now fully embracing her voice and artistry. Don’t miss her upcoming shows, and make sure to follow her on social media to stay tuned!