Nicole Khouzami is a Lebanese-American soprano and arts administrator from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is a recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she earned her master's degree in Vocal Performance and Literature and was selected to be a Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Fellow through Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership. As a fellow, she explored the intersection between performance and arts leadership through her work with the George Walker Center, and in roles as the Assistant to the Director for the Institute of Music Leadership and the Digital Communications/Production intern with Gateways Music Festival.
Nicole earned her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, where she held roles in public relations and led various organizations, from cultural clubs to acapella groups and music fraternities. Nicole also studied Italian extensively throughout her undergraduate years. Last summer, she was able to bring her passion for languages, performing, and broadening the typical opera audience into her work with the Todi Musica 2025 Festival (OperAffinity).
Nicole’s identity as a member of the Middle Eastern North African community has deeply influenced her perspective as an artist and administrator; she is committed to bringing classical music to new audiences, and continually seeks new ways to carry this commitment forward in both areas of her career.