Nicki Roman, D.M.A.

About Nicki

One of the most decorated saxophonists of her generation, Nicki Roman is known for “taking listeners on a tour of the saxophone’s capabilities, illustrating the vast tone and range of the instrument.” (Parma Recordings). As a soloist, she has been featured with the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias’ Chamber Orchestra, Eastman Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Illinois Wind Symphony, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Wind Ensemble, University of North Florida Orchestra, University of Southern Mississippi Wind Ensemble, Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. She has been a prize-winner at prestigious competitions such as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo Competition, Music Teacher’s National Association Young Artist Solo Competition, William C. Byrd International Competition, and the International Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship. Roman is the newest member of Splinter Reeds. The sum of their wide ranges of experience–in settings including free jazz, improvisation, electronic music, pop, punk and metal as well as classical–has enabled them to rapidly zero in on a distinct aesthetic identity. Recent concert engagements have included performances at New York City’s TIME:SPANS Festival, Dublin’s Music Current Festival, Chicago’s Constellation, San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center, Vancouver New Music, the Mondavi Performing Arts Center, Berkeley Art Museum, Festival of New American Music, and Other Minds: The Nature of Music Series. Roman will join the faculty at the University of Illinois in Fall 2024. She currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a Selmer and Vandoren artist.