Flutist Nicolette Driehuys Oppelt was born in the Netherlands and began studying flute at age 11. After immigrating to the United States with her family, she attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, studying with Philip Dunigan. While there, she was a two time concerto competition winner. She also appeared as a soloist on Dutch National Television with her father, the late conductor Leo Driehuys, on the podium.
In addition to being a member of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Ms. Driehuys Oppelt serves as Principal Flute of Washington Concert Opera, the Washington Ballet Orchestra, the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, the Amadeus Orchestra and the National Gallery Orchestra. She is currently the only tenured member of the National Philharmonic at Strathmore and was Acting Principal Flute for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra for three years. Ms. Driehuys Oppelt is a regular substitute with the National Symphony Orchestra and has accompanied that orchestra on many tours, including performances at Carnegie Hall.
