Dr. Nikki Krumwiede is a composer, writer, improviser, and pianist currently residing in Moore, Oklahoma. Her music draws inspiration from a variety of topics and styles, including her love of improvisation and her fascination with written language.
In 2017, Nikki graduated from Drury University in Springfield, MO with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in piano performance and composition and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing. She earned a Masters of Music in Composition in Spring, 2019 from the University of Oklahoma and her Doctorate of Music Arts in Composition from the University of Oklahoma in 2022. While at OU, she has worked as a graduate assistant to the composition area for four years and directed the New Century improv! Ensemble.
Nikki composes in a variety of styles, from contemporary classical to experimental, electronic, and improvisational music. Her goal is to create music which is engaging for performers and allows for flexibility and interpretation. Much of her music draws upon her experience as an improv performer and asks musicians to create along with her, whether through improvisation, selection of unspecified pitch, or a flexible rhythmic structure. She consciously attempts to incorporate various musical techniques and genres, as well as her background in writing and literature, into her compositional process in a way that is engaging to a diverse audience. Her music has been showcased at a variety of festivals and conferences, including the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC), New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival (NYCEMF), Electronic Music Midwest (EMM), UNK New Music Festival, Manchester New Music Festival, and Oklahoma Modern Music Collective's Winter Festival.