Hannah Nicholas, Viola

Hannah Nicholas is the principal violist of the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra. She has appeared on series including Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Lincoln Center Atrium 360, Network for New Music, and the Barnes Foundation residency. She heads her own series in Philadelphia, "Hannah Rose Presents." Hannah plays in a string quartet with principals from the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the Ballet, and has a duo with jazz percussionist Gregg Mervine. She also performs as substitute violist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and has toured with the East Coast Chamber Orchestra.

For several years, Hannah played viola and sang in a trio that won the Knight Arts Challenge for its work with students in Miami on collaborative songwriting. She taught viola and songwriting at the University of Pennsylvania, and string improvisation to students in the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth. She also led ensembles in Arabic and Jewish music at the University of Texas El Paso and with the Chicago Folklore Ensemble. She is currently on the faculty of the Philadelphia International Music Festival. Hannah enjoys being part of the Swarthmore College music community, where she teaches viola and coaches chamber music.