William Nicholls’ extensive experience as an educator includes teaching positions with Concordia University in Irvine, Orange County Unified Schools, Mater Dei High School, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Saddleback Valley College District, Denver University, California State University in Fullerton, Washington State University in Pullman, Orange County High School of the Arts, and Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. A seasoned performer, Nicholls has appeared with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, The Juilliard Repertory Company, Carnegie Hall Artist Series, Manhattan Opera Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, among many others.
Dr. Nicholls has served as a teacher and clinician for renowned organizations; among them the University of Wisconsin, Alaska Arts Council, Illinois State Music Festival, Camrose Music Festival in Canada and the Festival de Inverno in Brazil. He has presented Master Classes at, The University of Wisconsin, MENC Conventions, Alaska Arts Council, SCSBOA Conferences, Canada’s Musicamerose Festival, Air Force Academy in Colorado, Canadian Band Directors Assoc., Fesival de Inverno, Brazil. While in New York, Nicholls performed at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, WNET Television and the Les and Larry Elgart Orchestra among others. As a vocalist, Dr. Nicholls sang with the "Dapper Dans" Barbershop Quartet in Disneyland. As trombone soloist, for live broadcast recitals on KFAC radio.
Bill holds a doctoral degree from the University of Miami in Conducting, where he served as Teaching Assistant for Dr. Frederick Fennell. He holds a Master of Science degree in trombone performance from The Juilliard School where he studied under Roger Smith and Per Brevig. (Mr Smith played next to the legendary Simone Mantia in the metropolitan Opera Orchestra and developed unique slide exercises to develop facility. Another gift from Roger is a progressive half step range method using standard orchestral excerpts. His years at CSU, Long Beach were spent with Robert Simmergren, Byron Peebles and Dennis Smith.
Bill gleaned a great deal from Edward Kleinhammer of the Chicago Symphony including a grasp of Arnold Jacobs’ amazing breathing techniques. His enthusiastic teaching style is both scientific and dynamic. Combining Suzuki style physical techniques with modern “imaging” methods, Dr. Nicholls instills rapid growth and development for students of all ages and stages.
