Biography
Nashville-based bassoonist Nicole Haywood Vera Tenorio has built a dynamic orchestral career, holding positions with professional orchestras across the country. Alongside her orchestral work, she is committed to contributing to the musical community through education and chamber music. Nicole has served as Acting Bassoon/Contrabassoon with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra since September 2025 and continues in the position through the 2026–2027 season. She is also Assistant Principal and Second Bassoon of the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago during the summer months. Her previous positions include Acting Second Bassoon of the Kansas City Symphony, Acting Assistant Principal and Second Bassoon of the Oregon Symphony for three years, Acting Bassoon/Contrabassoon of The Florida Orchestra, and Acting Bassoon/Contrabassoon of the Fort Worth Symphony for two years.
Nicole's recording experience spans both the orchestral and commercial music industries. She has worked in Nashville recording studios on projects for video games, films, and Disney Parks. Her orchestral recording credits include projects with the Kansas City Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and Nashville Symphony Orchestra featuring works by Brahms, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Alexander von Zemlinsky.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Nicole Haywood Vera Tenorio holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied with Kristin Wolfe Jensen, and a Master of Music degree from Rice University, where she studied with Benjamin Kamins. Additional major teachers include Sharon Kuster and Mark Rogers. Outside of music, Nicole enjoys exercising, traveling, and exploring new restaurants and bars with her husband, Alfredo.
Photos
Recordings
FORT WORTH Symphony
Live video recordings from the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition:
Contrabassoon on Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Principal Bassoon on Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22
Grant park music festival
Second Bassoon on Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10
Oregon Symphony
Principal Bassoon on Beethoven’s 5th Symphony
Lullaby project
Nicole Haywood Vera Tenorio can be heard on Oregon Symphony’s The Lullaby Project Vol. 3. One of Nicole’s personal favorites from The Lullaby Project Vol 3. is “Five Rare Gems” by Mary with Stephanie Schneiderman and Anna Tivel.
The Lullaby Project is conceived through Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. Oregon Symphony musicians work with local singer-songwriters, mothers, fathers and parents-to-be at Portland Homeless Family Solutions to create lullabies for their children.
solo bassoon
Teaching PHILOSOPHY
lessons
My goal is for students to develop technical proficiency, the ability to make convincing musical decisions, and a better understanding of reed making principles - all while maintaining a positive inner self dialogue during practice. Technical proficiency will be addressed through fundamental exercises, including scales and long tones, and etudes. Melodic etudes will be used to help students develop critical musical problem solving skills. Solo repertoire and orchestral excerpts will be assigned depending on the goals and needs of each individual student. I believe in building a solid foundation so that each student develops the skills to address weaknesses in a thoughtful and constructive manner.
I have been teaching private bassoon lessons for over ten years. I was previously on faculty at Lewis & Clark College. I thoroughly enjoy teaching students of all ages and skill levels. Please contact me if you would like to set up a lesson.
reeds
My reed making philosophy is centered around the idea that a student’s reeds should help, not hinder, their artistry. Reeds and reed making principles will be addressed to fit each individual student’s needs and goals. I make reeds in the style of Norman Herzberg’s reed making method. Several helpful reed making resources can be found on the resources section of my website.
CONTACT
To contact Nicole, please fill out the form below:
reed making Resources
Reed Diagnostics (Nicole Haywood Vera Tenorio)
Herzberg Bassoon Reed Diagram (John Haywood)
Herzberg Bevel (Benjamin Kamins)