Sessional Instructor

BMusEd (Acadia); MMus (Calgary); DPPM (Conservatoire de Bordeaux); DMA, Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy (UNC-Greensboro)

Saxophonist and educator Nicole Strum enjoys the multifaceted nature of being a musician: she is equally at home interpreting new works and collaborating with composers, teaching courses in music theory, directing ensembles and facilitating chamber music workshops, and coaching young woodwind players. As a performer, she has been praised for her expressive voice and the intensity of her interpretations; as a studio teacher, her commitment to guiding students to discover their unique musical identity is recognized by her colleagues.

Nicole is a member of two duos focused on contemporary music: with flautist Liesel Deppe she formed Feldsperling Duo, and premiered commissioned works at Arrayspace in Toronto and on the Canadian East Coast; following their debut at Halifax's Open Waters New Music Festival, the Strum-De Borba duo, with saxophonist Tristan De Borba, capped a 2019 mini-series of performances with a residency at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance for its inaugural Saxophone Academy.

Other performance highlights include appearances at the North American Saxophone Alliance's Regional and Biennial conferences, the World Saxophone Congress, the Society for Composers Inc. Region 10 Conference, the UNCG New Music Festival, Mount Allison University's Recital Series, the Transitio_MX Festival Internacional de Artes Electrónicas in Mexico City, and as concerto soloist with the UPEI Wind Symphony.

Nicole has taught music theory at Kwantlen University and UBC, and saxophone and chamber music at Mount Allison University and UPEI. She is currently on faculty at UPEI, is the Woodwind Specialist for Halifax Regional Arts, and operates an independent studio. She adjudicates at local and national music festivals, leads workshops and clinics, and coordinates Summer Studios, a week-long chamber music workshop for advanced high school wind players held at UPEI.