Nicole Laborte

Nicole Laborte is currently pursing her Ph.D in Music Education, serving as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas. Prior to pursing her doctoral studies, Nicole taught 6-12 orchestra, 6-8 choir, and 6-8 band in Enumclaw School District. Under her direction, her ensembles have received Superior ratings at large group regional festivals, solo and ensemble contests, and was selected to perform for the 2020 WMEA Concert Hour. Nicole graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in December 2014 with a Bachelor of Music Education. While at PLU, she was an active member of both the choral and orchestral programs, serving as a student conductor and orchestra librarian. In May 2020, she completed her Master of Science in Learning Technologies through the accelerated online program at University of North Texas, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Much of her research work is centered in marrying music education and technology together, to create relevant online and blended learning environments and curriculum to better enhance and differentiate traditional music ensemble instruction. Nicole is a proud active member of NAfME. She has presented at practitioner, poster, and research sessions for WMEA, TMEA, NAfME All-Northwest, and NAfME National conferences. Outside of school and work, Nicole enjoys exploring unique locations and acquiring new information about anything and everything. When not relaxing with her cat, Bella, Nicole spends her "free" time training, performing, and competing as an aerial artist. She is an avid reader of YA fantasy fiction and loves any excuse to bust out in showtunes and early 2000s punk pop jams.