Nico Mateo is a Mexican-American, classically-trained double bassist and visual storyteller who is currently based in Philadelphia. While he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and his Master of Music degree from Yale, his administrative skillset was developed through programs and internships with organizations such as Carnegie Hall, the Aldeburgh Festival, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and through orchestra librarian roles at UCLA and Yale.

As a double bassist, Nico strives to perform and commission works by diverse, living composers and hopes to commission 3-6 new works over the next year. As a photographer, he strives to provide affordable artist portraits and provided 21 portrait sessions for free during the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to portraiture, Nico is interested in helping fellow artists of marginalized backgrounds visually document their narratives. He attributes this interest to his own experience having grown up as a classical musician of color in California’s Central Valley — amidst a landscape that was primarily agricultural — followed by his move to the bustling city of Los Angeles and later to the East Coast. He believes that visual narratives can help artists and audiences identify with each other through the celebration of biographical commonalities.

One of Nico’s core beliefs as an artist-citizen is that he has a responsibility to help others realize their sense of agency and identity through the power of creativity. He believes that the skills and mindset developed in the process of creating art can be applied to additional areas of educational endeavors and professional work. His understanding of his role, therefore, entails returning to the communities from which support was given and sharing the benefits of acquired knowledge so that others might do the same. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Nico aims to lead seminars on the pursuit of higher education, artistic practices, and professional development during trips to his hometown.