Nichole Graham Pitts

Nichole Graham Pitts, Conductor
CSO Youth Etude

Nichole Graham Pitts began participating in the arts at a very early age. She began playing the viola in the sixth grade while at the same time training in classical ballet. In high school, Nichole participated in her school orchestra programs and the Rapides Parish Youth Orchestra. She was also in the All-State Orchestra, Northwestern Honor Orchestra, and North Caddo Youth Symphony. Nichole has always loved the stage and in high school was a charter member of Ballet Alexandria. As a member of the Ballet Company, she performed in numerous ballets and was selected as a Dancer for Peace by the Governor to the former Soviet Union.

After graduation, Nichole attended Northwestern State University in Louisiana with a full scholarship in viola performance where she performed with the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra. After several years, she transferred to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to finish her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and received a Master's Degree in Music Education. While working on her Master's Degree, she was a master teacher for the UTC String Project.

Nichole is beginning her eighth season as the Conductor of the Chattanooga Youth Etude Orchestra and her third season as Conductor of the Youth Prelude Orchestra. She is the orchestra director at Hixson Middle and Hixson High Schools and a substitute violist for the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Nichole is a member of the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Hamilton County Education Association, and the American Federation for Musicians Local 80, and the American String Teachers Association. Nichole enjoys spending free time with her husband Lucas and her family.