".deliciously spacious orchestral playing."
Classical Good CD Guide 2001

Nicholas was born in Manchester in 1952. His parents were both in The Hallé and his father, Paul Ward, formed the Manchester Mozart Orchestra in 1963. He began violin lessons at the age of eight. The discovery of the string quartet, with its rich repertoire and, above all, player satisfaction, was the main impulse to study violin during school and college years.

Nicholas was something of a perpetual student, spending six years at the Royal Northern College of Music and a further year in Brussels, studying in turn with Barry Griffiths, Vimos Schummy, Rudolph Botta, Yossi Zivoni and Andre Gertier.

After five years with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra there were two years playing mainly with the London Mozart Players and the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and, since 1984, leadership of the Northern Chamber Orchestra. Nicholas is also leader with the City of London Sinfonia.