Nicholas Villalobos graduated from Arizona State University in 2011 with a
degree in bass performance studying under world-renowned bass soloist
Catalin Rotaru. Following graduation, Nicholas toured the United Stated with
the Sphinx Virtuosi Orchestra as an alumni of the Sphinx Competition.
Nicholas received world-class training from a young age studying with Barry
Olson principal bass of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra from sixth grade
through high school. He has performed as principal bass with some of the
most elite ensembles for young musicians including the World Youth
Symphony at Interlochen, the National Honor High School Orchestra, and
Tanglewood Institute Orchestra. As a professional symphony player Nicholas
has performed in the Phoenix Symphony, Utah Chamber Orchestra, Arizona
Musicfest, and Orchestra at Temple Square including with the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir.
As a soloist, Nicholas has performed concertos with prestigious orchestras
including the Phoenix Symphony, Tempe Symphony, Scottsdale Baroque
Orchestra, the Coer d’Alene Symphony Orchestra, and the Sphinx Symphony
Orchestra. Nicholas won first prize at the American String Teachers
Association Double Bass Competition. He also won the Clotilde Ortando
Prize with the Phoenix Symphony and was the a finalist in the 2011
International Society of Bassists Solo Competition where he received an
award for best performance of the required modern piece, “Celestial Dance,”
by Rufus Reid. In 2013 Nick placed 3rd in the Sphinx Competition which
included a televised concert of the finals where he performed with the Sphinx
Symphony Orchestra.