Double bassist Nils Aardahl grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota and began playing the bass at age 10 in elementary school orchestra class. Nils joins the Kansas City Symphony as the newest member of their bass section in September 2022. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Rice University, where he studied with Paul Ellison. An avid performer of jazz music, Nils was a member of Da Camera Houston’s first Young Artist Jazz Trio in 2021. Nils has also attended summer music festivals including Wabass Institute for the 21st Century Bass Player and Domaine Forget.