Bio
Erica Nichols is a bass trombonist and graduate student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy under the mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Yates. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, she provides private trombone instruction, coaches a trombone chamber ensemble, and performs in several of the university’s major ensembles.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2020, where she studied with Dr. Ben McIlwain.
Erica has participated in several prestigious trombone festivals, including the Southeast Trombone Symposium, Georgia Trombone Summit, International Trombone Festival, and the Lutheran Summer Music Festival, where she served as a Trombone Teaching Fellow.
From 2022 to 2025, Erica was a member of the Nashville African American Wind Symphony, an ensemble dedicated to celebrating the legacy of African American composers and musicians through wind and percussion music. The group’s mission to promote artistic excellence, cultural appreciation, and community engagement aligns closely with Erica’s passion for musical outreach and education.
Originally from Decatur, Mississippi, Erica enjoys nature photography, exploring diverse cuisines, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.