Summer and Special Programs Manager | University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music

Nicole Ortiz is an arts administrator, educator, and musician whose work centers on building accessible, community-rooted arts programs. As the Summer & Special Programs Manager at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, Nicole oversees a portfolio of music, dance, and theatre programs that support creative learning across diverse educational settings. She also serves as Artistic Director for Lives United: Music, Arts, and Community, a community-based arts initiative that connects artists, students, and neighborhood partners through collaborative programming and performance. Passionate about teaching the next generation of clarinetists, Nicole maintains an active lesson studio in Northern Kentucky.  

With a strong track record in grant writing, Nicole has secured funding from the Ohio Arts Council, ArtsWave, the Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, the Diocese of Southern Ohio, and other regional funders committed to arts access and equity.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Music in Woodwind Performance from Northern Kentucky University, as well as master’s degrees in Arts Administration and Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati, providing a foundation that blends performance, pedagogy, and leadership in the arts.