Nick Russoniello is a highly accomplished and dynamic saxophonist, composer, ensemble leader and educator. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Conservatorio di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Milano, Nick has appeared as a soloist or guest musician with many of Australia’s premier arts organisations including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian World Orchestra, the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring, Metropolitan Orchestra and the Acacia Quartet. He has been the recipient of major awards including the ABC Symphony Australian Young Performer of the Year Award, Fine Music Kruger Scholarship and a finalist for the Australian Freedman Fellowship.

Nick’s own projects and ensembles (Duo Histoire, Golden Age Project and his One Man Band live looping show) are highly acclaimed, with appearances for the Sydney Festival, Musica Viva Australia, the Royal College of Music (London), ABC Classic FM, Conservatorio di Milano (Italy), Strasbourg Cité De La Musique (France), City Recital Hall, The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestras and Australian Digital Concert Hall. In addition to his performances, Nick’s original compositions for saxophone are regularly performed by international artists and are featured with the Australian Music Centre. In 2023, with the support of an Australia Council award, Nick composed and premiered three original saxophone concerti that were presented by the Orange Chamber Music Festival, Queensland Chamber Orchestra, The Metropolitan Orchestra and Steel City Strings. 

Nick holds a doctorate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is a Yamaha Australia Artist & D’Addario Woodwind Artist.

In Review:

“Not all world premieres are created equal. Hand on heart, for me this was the best I’ve heard so far, and judging by the audience reaction at the close of the piece, everyone seemed to feel the same. It’s always a sign when – lots – of people jump to their feet, pound the floor, and cheer and clap their way through three encores. Incredible."

Classikon
Ron Ringer (Concerto for Alto Saxophone Where the Mountain World Premiere)

"There are two markers of a Nick Russoniello world premiere: an overwhelming sense of fun; and a unique hook to shatter the glass between the musicians and the audience...Russoniello’s performance was riveting in its passion and skill on this occasion. He’s an exceptional performer and soloist – you almost have to laugh in astonishment at some of what he delivers, and it’s gripping when he joins forces with an orchestra."

Limelight Magazine
Maddy Briggs (Concerto for Alto Saxophone Where the Mountain World Premiere)

“A former Young Performer comes of age… everything one would expect of fine chamber music playing: a sensitivity towards tonal and timbral balance, a keen ear for flexible musical conversation and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of fun.”

Limelight Magazine
Will Yeoman (Between Worlds Album)