Dearborn Symphony’s Principal Clarinet, Nickolas Hamblin, has been with the orchestra for two years.

He began playing his instrument at the age of 10 and chose the clarinet because his grandfather played one in the local polka band in Wyandotte, Michigan. His grandfather even had an extra one for Nickolas to use for fifth grade band.

Nickolas is an active chamber and orchestral musician in the metro Detroit area. He currently serves as principal clarinet with the Dearborn Symphony, 2^nd clarinet with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and regularly performs as principal clarinet with the Michigan Philharmonic.

Hamblin has won first prize in many competitions, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Bradlin Scholarship Competition, Detroit Federation of Musicians Solo Competition, Dearborn Symphony Young Artists Solo Competition, Southern Great Lakes Symphony Solo Competition, Tuesday Musicale of Detroit Young Artist Competition, and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Concerto Competition.  His chamber trio won first prize in the New York International Young Musician Competition’s chamber music division.

Having just moved to Ann Arbor, he has been spending time setting up his new apartment, attending some online classes and has been having a lot of fun cooking!