About Mikaela
Mikaela Nilo has recently moved to Eugene, Oregon after four years of teaching and performing in Northeastern Kansas. She ran a full-time private studio and also performed regularly as an orchestral violinist for the Salina Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Wichita Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley, Sioux City Symphony, and others.
Mikaela grew up in Newberg, Oregon into a musical family and began playing violin at a young age. She received her undergraduate degree in violin performance from Biola University in Los Angeles where she studied with Elizabeth Larson-Freeman and was a member of the Biola String Quartet. Throughout her undergrad career, Mikaela had opportunities to debut several student compositions, solo with the orchestra, serve as concertmaster, as well as teach at String Sprouts - a free after-school program for young children in underserved areas. Mikaela graduated from Biola in the spring of 2021 with multiple outstanding musician awards. She has participated in many summer festivals including the Credo Chamber music festival in Ohio, Interharmony Music Festival in Italy, Heartland Chamber Music Festival in Kansas City, Aria music festival in Massachusetts, and Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina where she received a fellowship to work in the faculty orchestra under Maestro Gerard Schwarz.
Mikaela deeply values the concept of being a lifelong learner. Since graduating, she’s studied with several teachers including Scott Flavin, Oleh Krysa, David Colwell, Madeleine Jansen, Benjamin Sung, Hal Grossman, and Leo Rosario. Recently recovered from a playing-related injury, Mikaela has a particular interest in injury prevention and body mechanics for string players.
When teaching her students, she seeks to foster not only their musicality but nurture them in their confidence, responsibility, and maturity as human beings. She pulls from several different teaching methods and has received training in the Suzuki method from Elizabeth Freeman and Elizabeth Faidley. Mikaela values good technique, beautiful tone, and a joyful spirit in her studio. Her students have been selected to perform in masterclasses, state competitions, and prestigious chamber ensembles.