Nicholas Olsen

Nicholas Olsen is a Welsh composer. He is currently a doctoral researcher at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under the supervision of Joe Cutler, Ed Bennett, and Christopher Dingle. His research explores the use of personally informed reference in compositional contexts.

In 2017, Nicholas was awarded the Principal’s Prize for All Round Excellent on graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he studied with Gordon McPherson and Stuart MacRae. Nicholas has worked with a number of internationally renowned ensembles and conductors from across the UK and further afield.

These projects have included performances and collaborations with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ensemble Modern, Glasgow New Music Expedition, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus and Junior Chorus, Psappha, and Red Note Ensembles.

In addition to his work as a composer, Nicholas is a committed educator and has tutored composition in a variety of contexts; including at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Junior Conservatoire and Composition Summer School, and at the United World College of the Atlantic.