Stephen Nichols is a full-time music educator and performer.

Stephen studied commerce at the University of Canterbury before completing a Diploma in Jazz Studies (Performance & Arranging/Composition) at Christchurch Polytechnic. For the last 15 years he has taught as an itinerant music teacher at many Christchurch schools and other educational institutions.

Stephen teaches and performs on all members of the saxophone family and also flute & clarinet, but his primary focus is on the jazz style of saxophone. He has performed and recorded in a variety of ensembles such jazz ensembles, pop/rock bands, latin bands and orchestral settings.

Performance highlights for Stephen are being a regular member of the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra during the 90s, being the musical director of the CSM Christchurch Youth Jazz Ensemble and performing with notable musicians such as Don Burrows (AUS), Russ Garcia (USA), Bobby Shew (USA), Dame Malvina Major (NZL) and the late Sir Howard Morrison (NZL).

Currently Stephen finds himself busy with being the musical director/arranger & playing sax/flute with New Zealand’s top live Salsa/Latin Jazz ensemble "Ritmo Latino".