Nicole Simental is a doctoral student in Organ Performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she studies with Christopher Young. As a keyboardist, she has studied piano since the age of seven, organ since the age of 10, and harpsichord throughout her undergraduate studies at Oberlin. Ms. Simental received her Masters in Sacred Music from The University of Notre Dame and Bachelor of Music from Wheaton College, and completed additional studies at Oberlin College. Her past instructors include David Schrader, David Boe, Webb Wiggins, Edward Zimmerman, Delbert Disselhorst, and Craig Cramer.

For the past several years, Simental has held many posts as a church musician and university accompanist. At the age of twelve, she was appointed as organist of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in her hometown of Chicago. Upon moving to Oberlin, she accompanied the College’s Concert Choir. Subsequently she served as the accompanist for the Women’s Chorale and Opera Music Theater Program at Wheaton College. During her tenure at the University of Notre Dame she held the position of Graduate Assistant to the Notre Dame Liturgical and Women’s Choirs. Additionally, she served as the organist at Christ the King Lutheran Church in South Bend, Indiana. After moving to Bloomington, she was the Organ Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis. She currently is the Assistant Music Director at First Christian Church and accompanist at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Bloomington, Indiana.

Simental also maintains an active performing career. In 2015, Ms. Simental played in a “Rising Stars” concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. In 2016 she won the Immanuel Lutheran Organ Scholar Award and she tied for 1st prize at the First Sursa American Organ Competition at Ball State University. Additionally, she was a semifinalist for the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance. Most recently, in September of 2016 she was awarded 1st prize and a Diploma for the best performance of the obligatory piece at the IV International Goedicke Organ Competition at the Moscow Conservatory.

- Link here to: Concert Program page .