Sarah Nicolls is a British classical pianist, composer, and inventor who has gained international recognition for her innovative approach to music-making. Born in 1972 in London, Nicolls grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to classical music from an early age. She began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Nicolls studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with honors. She then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she studied with renowned pianist and teacher Joan Havill. During her studies, Nicolls developed a deep interest in contemporary music and began exploring new ways of playing the piano. In 2000, Nicolls made her debut at the Wigmore Hall in London, one of the world's most prestigious concert venues. She received critical acclaim for her performance, which showcased her virtuosic technique and expressive playing style. This performance marked the beginning of Nicolls' career as a soloist, and she has since performed at major concert halls and festivals around the world. One of Nicolls' most notable achievements is her development of the Inside-Out Piano, a unique instrument that allows her to play the strings of the piano directly with her hands. The Inside-Out Piano is a grand piano that has been modified with a series of levers and pulleys that allow the strings to be played from the inside of the instrument. This innovative approach to piano playing has earned Nicolls widespread recognition and has been featured in numerous concerts and recordings. In addition to her work as a performer, Nicolls is also an accomplished composer. She has written a number of works for solo piano, as well as chamber music and orchestral pieces. Her compositions are known for their innovative use of extended techniques and unconventional sounds, and have been performed by leading musicians and ensembles around the world. Nicolls has received numerous awards and accolades for her work as a musician and inventor. In 2005, she was awarded the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Composers, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of contemporary music. She has also been awarded the PRS Foundation's Women Make Music grant, which supports the development of new music by female composers. One of Nicolls' most memorable performances was her 2018 concert at the Southbank Centre in London, where she performed her composition "12 Years" on the Inside-Out Piano. The piece was inspired by the 12 years that Nicolls spent living in a house that was threatened by flooding, and explores themes of climate change and environmental destruction. The performance was accompanied by a visual installation that featured images of melting glaciers and rising sea levels, and was hailed as a powerful and moving work of art. Nicolls continues to push the boundaries of classical music with her innovative approach to piano playing and composition. Her work has earned her a reputation as one of the most exciting and original musicians of her generation, and she is widely regarded as a leading figure in the contemporary classical music scene.

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