Orchestra

Abby Nichols is a professional cellist and orchestra teacher going into her eighth year of teaching. Mrs. Nichols has taught at the middle school and high school levels in Hamilton, OH and Gwinnett County, GA, most recently at Lilburn Middle School from 2022-2026, where she helped grow and expand the orchestra program and inspired her students to work at becoming an award winning orchestra, consistently earning Superior and Excellent ratings at various competitions.

Mrs. Nichols received her Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance with a concentration in Cello from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. She also remains an active performer and conductor. Mrs. Nichols is currently the principal cellist of the Atlanta Metropolitan Symphony, section cellist for the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra, and has more recently been a participant in the Adrian Gnam International Conductors Workshop. She has also performed in many collaborative opportunities such as the Atlanta International Symphony Orchestra and the Korean-American Friendship Concert in Montgomery, Alabama. She is also an active professional member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), American Strings Teachers Association (ASTA), National Association of Music Education (NAfME), and League of American Orchestras. 

Abby is a passionate educator and has a philosophy that all people should have the opportunity and access to quality music education. Students learn best in a classroom environment that is welcoming and affirming while also establishing clear, consistent expectations for the work produced. 

Mrs. Nichols is excited to teach in Duluth and is looking forward to the opportunity to work with your student and the greater community as a whole.

Keara Henre is a violist and violinist with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University (FSU). Ms. Henre studied viola with Dr. Pamela Ryan at FSU and has been an active violist in various orchestras in Florida such as the FSU Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Studio Orchestra, and the Bradenton Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Henre also served as concertmaster for the FSU Sinfonia. Ms. Henre completed her student teaching at Laurel Nokomis School in Nokomis, Florida, and is very excited to continue teaching orchestra at the middle school level. 

Ms. Henre loves to collaborate with her community and served as the small ensemble coach, small ensemble coordinator, and viola sectional coach for the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras. Ms. Henre is also an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). During the summer, Ms. Henre teaches at the FSU String Orchestra Camp, working with small ensembles, teaching private lessons, and coaching sectionals. During the 2026-2027 school year, Ms. Henre hopes to connect with her community and collaborate with various ensembles and community members to continue performing, learning, and sharing her love for music with others.