Born in 1976, Nicholas Jenkins studied at Merton College, Oxford, Trinity College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Initially a professional singer, Nicholas established his reputation training choirs in London and working as Music Director to the University of Greenwich; he was subsequently employed as the first ever full-time Chorus Master to Grange Park Opera (2006 season), and as Guest Chorus Master by Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Brighton Festival Chorus (with the RPO), Les Musiciens du Louvre, Musikfest Bremen and Trinity College of Music. In the world of opera he has conducted Jonathan Dove Tobias and the Angel (New Sussex Opera), Mozart Così fan tutte (Oxford Playhouse, Opéra Théâtre de Besançon), Offenbach L'Ile de Tulipatan (Opéra National de Lyon), Purcell Dido and Aeneas (Greenwich), Verdi Nabucco (Blackheath Halls), Weill The Seven Deadly Sins (St John's Smith Square, Sally Burgess).

Since 2005 Nicholas has worked extensively as assistant conductor to Marc Minkowski, at Opéra National de Lyon, Opéra National de Paris, Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), Musikfest Bremen and Aix-en-Provence Festival; in works including Bizet Carmen, Mozart Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Offenbach Die Rheinnixen, Purcell Dido and Aeneas and Rameau Platée; featuring artists including Jessye Norman, Anne Sofie von Otter and Felicity Palmer. He has also been assistant conductor to David Parry (Opera Rara / LPO, Offenbach) and to the Manoel Theatre, Malta (Britten The Turn of the Screw and Handel Semele).

During 2007-8 Nicholas will conduct Mozart Idomeneo (New Sussex Opera), Weill Der Jasager - Celui qui dit oui (Opéra National de Lyon), Yuko Katori's new opera (ROH2, Linbury Studio), and concerts including Brahms Requiem (Blackheath Halls) and Britten St Nicolas (Lancing College). He will also be assistant conductor for Rossini La Cenerentola (Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels), Mozart Idomeneo (Aix-en-Provence Festival), and assistant conductor / chorus master for the world premiere recording of Offenbach Vert-Vert (Opera Rara / Philharmonia Orchestra).