Born in 1980 near Munich, Germany, Nicholas Bootiman began learning piano and violin at an early age. At 16 Nicholas won a scholarship to the Purcell School where he took up viola, and continuing to the Royal College of Music in London, he earned his Bachelor degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance with Distinction. During this time he participated in an exchange to the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic. In 2006 Nicholas completed a Masters Degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston, U.S.A.
As an orchestral musician Nicholas has worked with all major symphony orchestras in London as well as most orchestras nationwide. He has recently been guest principal of the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. He is currently on trial for the Principal position at the B.B.C. National Orchestra of Wales. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has been a member of prize-winning string quartets, and works regularly with many London-based ensembles. His teachers were Kim Kashkashian, Milan Skampa, Ian Jewel, and Andriy Viytovich. Also an award-winning composer, Nicholas still writes music when he finds time. He will be launching the inaugural Bedford Chamber Music Festival as Founder and Artistic Director in May 2008.