Dr. Christopher Nicholas has enjoyed an eclectic and varied career of teaching and performing music and serving as an arts administrator at all levels, including work in the public schools of Illinois and California, as well as throughout higher education and the professional conducting world. Dr. Nicholas has served as Director of Bands and Director of Woodwind and Brass Studies at Chapman University, Director of Bands at Colorado State University, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Wyoming, and on the music faculties of Grinnell College and Kirkwood College. An award-winning teacher and performer, Dr. Nicholas has received the distinction of “Top Prof” for exceptional contributions to the university and service to students (UW); the Extraordinary Merit in Teaching Award (UW); the Divisional Achievement Award in Music Education (UIUC), and the Iowa Doctoral Performance Fellowship. Dr. Nicholas was a 2023 legacy quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator award; a 2019 national semifinalist for the American Prize in Conducting; and a nominee for the Most Transformational Professor and Outstanding College of Performing Arts Faculty Member awards at Chapman University.A versatile conductor and trombonist, Dr. Nicholas has performed throughout America, Europe, Canada, Taiwan, China, and Central America. Dr. Nicholas has served as an invited guest conductor of the Liatoshinsky Chamber Orchestra in Kiev, Ukraine, the Societe Musicale D'Alaquas in Valencia, Spain, and for many years as Principal guest conductor of La Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Guatemala under the auspices of El Sistema de Guatemala. Dr. Nicholas is active as a clinician and adjudicator in the United States and abroad, and his articles and textbook chapters have appeared in music education journals including the National Band Association and School Band and Orchestra journals, as well as multiple volumes of the acclaimed textbook "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band". Professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands, National Band Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Tau Beta Sigma. A proponent of new music, Dr. Nicholas has led international consortium commissioning projects and conducted World Premiere performances of works by composers Roger Cichy, Susan Sorkin, James David, Joshua Hummel, and Joseph Eidson.Dr. Nicholas is a National Board Certified Teacher, LAUSD Professional Learning Network faculty mentor and salary point class instructor, and Fender teaching clinician.