Nicole Wendl

Nicole Wendl is a violinist, arts leader, and advocate for the future of classical music. As Executive Director of Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), one of the nation’s leading training programs for young musicians, she works at the intersection of artistic excellence, education, and institutional leadership, exploring how organizations can evolve to better serve artists, audiences, and communities in the twenty-first century. 

A frequent voice on topics including arts leadership, music education, organizational culture, and the changing role of classical music, Nicole believes that the next generation of arts institutions must be both artistically uncompromising and deeply human-centered. Her work focuses on cultivating environments where musicians can thrive not only as performers, but as creative thinkers, collaborators, and engaged citizens.

Since becoming Executive Director of BUTI in 2022, Nicole has led the institute through a period of strategic growth while championing initiatives that strengthen artistic excellence, student experience, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. Before assuming the executive directorship, Nicole served in several different roles at BUTI, including in the operations and education spaces. Earlier in her career, she was Program Manager of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and co-founded the Lumino Festival, where she helped build an artist-centered organization from the ground up.

An accomplished violinist, Nicole has performed throughout the United States and Europe as an orchestral, chamber, and period-instrument musician. She currently holds the position of Associate Concertmaster of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, is a member of Spectacle Collective, and plays as substitute musician with many orchestras in the greater Boston area. She has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Opera Neo Festival Orchestra, held section positions in orchestras spanning the length of the U.S. east coast, and has performed with ensembles including Bay Area Baroque Ensemble and Magnolia Baroque. Her experiences as a performer continue to inform every aspect of her leadership, grounding her work in the realities of artistic life and the transformative power of music.

Beyond her executive work, Nicole is committed to strengthening the broader arts ecosystem through governance and mentorship. She serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Brookline Symphony and as a member of the Intern Placement Advisory Board of the Community Music School of Springfield, supporting the development of future arts leaders and fostering meaningful connections between education and professional practice.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance and Chamber Music Literature from the University of South Florida and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Whether performing on stage, mentoring emerging artists, or leading conversations about the future of the arts, she is driven by a belief that music remains one of society’s most powerful tools for cultivating empathy, curiosity, and human connection.