A saxophone player and oboist, Nicola balances a busy teaching diary with regular performances and ensemble playing. She is a founder member of the Equinox Saxophone Ensemble and has arranged many of the works the group perform.

Her chamber arrangements have been performed by a number of other groups including Harlequin Brass. She is a longstanding member and currently chairman of the award winning Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, and has played with the Nottingham Philharmonic and Nottingham Symphony Orchestra. 

As a principal player with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, she performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2005. In 2009 she released her first solo album, a personal collection of chamber pieces for saxophone, a number of which she arranged specially. 

As well as her private teaching Nicola has worked with the Nottingham Wind Ensemble, and the Nottingham Choral Trust's 'Bandwise' programme.  She has also been instrumental in developing and running the popular Nottingham Sax Day and Weekend which attracts intermediate and advanced players from across the country.