March 21, 2025

Pianist, composer, and multi-disciplinary artist Nicole Brancato (MM ’22) discusses the inspirations behind forging her own path and the integral mentorship she received at MSM.

Interview by Dr. Justin Bischof (BM ’90, MM ’92, DMA ’98)
MSM Alumni Council Chair

Fascinated with contemporary expressions of our shared human experience, the NYC-based pianist Nicole Brancato merges curation, composition, and performance in collaborations across the arts. Nicole’s credits range from the Guggenheim Museum (NYC), Rai Italia, and the Banff Centre (Canada) to Lincoln Center, Bellas Artes (Mexico), HBO, and “underground” performances in Brooklyn warehouses.

Nicole has curated more than 100 productions featuring 200-plus compositions and commissions over the last decade. She is an awardee of National Sawdust’s 2022 Hildegard Commission and the New York Foundation for the Arts, in addition to dozens of international grant awards.

Several notable projects include a new chamber opera Infinitessimal (2024) commissioned by Pure.Art Circle (Italy); multimedia project The Illustrated Pianist (featured in The San Francisco Chronicle and KALW Open Air), honoring the centenary of science-fiction author Ray Bradbury, for which Nicole was among the commissioned artists; Soundfullness, a salvaged piano installation that transforms outdoor spaces into places of deep listening; and Nicole’s modern big band project, The Titanics, reimagining current chart-topping tunes with dozens of guest-star comedians and actors, including Jackie Hoffman and Justin Vivian Bond. During its residency at the Cutting Room and the Ace Hotel, the big band made special appearances at Joe’s Pub and for HBO, and was lauded in The New Yorker along with Time Out New York.

Nicole Brancato is a proud Yamaha Piano Artist.

Can you tell us about your musical journey that led to your current performance career?

Nicole: I think so much of our lives and trajectories are shaped by the people around us: our families, communities, and those who came before us; our teachers and mentors, and the institutions that we emerge from. In my youth, my experience attending a visual and performing arts high school — being a part of a larger community of artists and performers, all exploring, excelling, and collaborating in the name of art itself — solidified in my core that I wanted to pursue a performance career. Then, living in New York City, witnessing the depth and breadth of its music and art scenes, expanded in my mind what a performance career could look like. I became insatiably curious about all the ways music can inhabit, transform, and transcend its own medium. I pursued collaborations of all kinds: with visual artists, dancers, actors, writers, sculptors, filmmakers, activists, scientists, and engineers, not to mention other musicians from a wide range of musical traditions.  At the piano, the music of Debussy was a gateway for me. I went through a period in which I couldn’t get enough of his compositions. I would often meditate on his creative process, on how he drew inspiration for his music from paintings, poetry, philosophy, ancient histories, and the natural world.

What inspired you to attend Manhattan School of Music?

Nicole: The Contemporary Performance Program at Manhattan School of Music has a distinguished legacy of graduating outstanding artists in the music of today. I saw an exciting track record of innovation in the performances and projects of CPP alumni, pushing the boundaries of their creative practices and making lasting impacts in the arts world. That, coupled with the prospect of working with the likes of faculty members Anthony de Mare and Margaret Kampmeier was a major motivating force for me.

Was there someone during your time at MSM who stood out as a mentor?  Please share experience(s) or advice you received during your time at MSM that contributed to where you are today.

Nicole: The guidance of CPP faculty members Anthony de Mare and Margaret Kampmeier had a profound effect on my artistry and creative practice. Their insights challenged me to think beyond traditional boundaries of performance and interpretation. And their fearless approach to contemporary repertoire inspired me to take creative risks, while their deep musicality and attention to detail challenged my sense of nuance and expression. Their mentorship not only shaped my artistic voice, but also instilled in me the confidence to pursue the bold, interdisciplinary projects that continue to define my career today.

What advice do you have for our upcoming graduating class of 2025 regarding a life in music?

Nicole: The arts — like any field — can be filled with predefined paths that promise security and clarity. Stepping away from those familiar routes is one of the most daunting decisions an artist can make, but the rewards — fulfillment, authenticity, and a deeper sense of purpose — far outweigh the risks.  We all have an inner voice that quietly points us toward what feels true, if we’re willing to listen. Over time, I’ve learned to tune in when that voice speaks. Following it meant venturing into the unknown, searching for new possibilities. Those first steps felt the most uncertain and risky, but once I began down a path of exploration, I felt more aligned with my artistic self than ever before. That sense of authenticity has led to meaningful collaborations, career milestones, and profound creative satisfaction.