Virginia native Nick Ritter joined the Charlotte Symphony as a section bassoonist and contrabassoonist during the 2022-2023 season. He is also the contrabassoonist in the Richmond Symphony, and was formerly the contrabassoonist in Orchestra Iowa. Prior to his appointment in Charlotte, Nick travelled across the country as a freelancer, performing with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Grand Rapids Symphony. A passionate music educator, Nick has also held teaching positions at Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, and The People’s School of Music in Chicago. Outside of rehearsals he is most often making bassoon reeds for his business, Ritter Reeds, or off hiking on all the great trails around Charlotte.

Nick attended Northwestern University and DePaul University, earning degrees in Bassoon Performance and Music Theory. He studied primarily with Chris Millard, Lewis Kirk, David McGill, Bill Buchman, and Miles Maner, in addition to Nancy Goeres and Per Hannevold at the Aspen Music Festival.