Nicole Ladenthin

Meet the Musicians

I came to Sweden and Stockholm from Germany as an exchange student in 2008 through the Erasmus program. After that, I continued my studies at the Royal College of Music. In 2012, I won the audition for the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra and have been a member of the orchestra since the 2014 European Capital of Culture year.

My mom always says that even when I was five, I said I wanted to play the violin. I don’t remember that, but I started playing when I was six. I haven’t stopped since. My whole family plays music as amateurs, and it was important for me to try playing an instrument.

As a teenager, I played in various youth orchestras, which gave me the opportunity to travel to places like China and the United States. Having had that opportunity has been a very educational and enriching experience—meeting so many people, working with many great conductors, and experiencing different cultures. I’m grateful for that.

I’ve always worked as a musician. I’ve played various small “student gigs” in Germany and during my time as a student in Stockholm, but I’ve always wanted to be an orchestral musician. Ever since I decided to study music, that’s been crystal clear to me.

The best part of my job is that I get to express my feelings and touch others through art. It offers both structure and freedom. When that wordless interaction with my colleagues clicks, it gives me a rush of joy—understanding each other without words can be almost magical. It also takes a lot of practice, so it’s wonderful when it happens.

For me, it’s an incredibly meaningful feeling to see the audience’s faces and know that, in some way, I’ve touched them. Children’s concerts are something truly special! Kids can be so surprised—they smile or laugh and show exactly how they feel. You can see that—even if only for that moment or that day—you’ve made a difference in their lives! That they’ve gained something they can take home with them. It makes me incredibly proud that we, as an orchestra, can actually touch other people’s lives—that’s a big deal.