Ms. DePresca has been teaching general Music at Mahala F. Atchison School since 2001 and has an extensive educational background. She attended Hanover Park High School in East Hanover, NJ where she was heavily involved in all aspects of the music department and expanded her knowledge and experience by performing in various vocal and instrumental ensembles including the highly selective All Eastern Chorus and NJ All State Chorus. She continued her education at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, where she majored in Music Education while serving as president of the WPU Collegiate MENC chapter during her senior year. Nicole was also a member of Pi Lambda Theta: International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education, as well as an active member of NJMEA. She was presented with the 1999-2000 Outstanding Music Education Student Award and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (concentration in voice, minor in piano). 

Upon graduation, Ms. DePresca received a full-time teaching position in Livingston, N.J., where she taught K-5 General Music and 4th and 5th grade chorus in the public schools. After she relocated to Monmouth County in 2001, she became the primary school general music teacher (Grades K-2 and self-contained) at the Mahala F. Atchison School in Tinton Falls, NJ, and continues to inspire 'little minds' with music every day. In 2009, Ms. DePresca was voted 'Teacher of the Year' by her colleagues, administration, and parents of the Tinton Falls School District. In May of 2010, Nicole was published in TEMPO Magazine on her article entitled, "Unite Students Digitally Everyday in the Elementary Setting." 

Ms. DePresca's music program at MFA was showcased in an documentary entitled "Here's the Story-Play On" which aired on PBS/NJTV in the summer of 2015.  Here are a couple of clips: Clip 1 and Clip 2. Her program was also featured in an online article.  

Favorite way to make music: Besides teaching music at MFA, Ms. DePresca is a professional singer/musician and has been entertaining crowds every weekend at the Jersey Shore since 1996.  You can find her at local venues in Monmouth and Ocean County throughout the year by following her two-piece party band, THE N&D ELECTRIC DUO! www.NandDElectricDuo.com

As a musician, my philosophy on teaching is to assist, help, educate and spark curiosity in a student so that they truly love music. I believe that everyone has the physical capability of becoming a musician of some kind, it’s the enthusiasm of someone that makes musicians. I want all of my students to have fun, look forward to playing their instrument, learn to experiment with sound, be entertained, practice dedication and focus, and not be afraid to take a chance.  As a music director, I am simply a guide to encourage the imagination of the students so they can continually reach new musical aspirations.

Favorite way to make music: I'm a working musician in the Tri State area. I regularly record and perform with many different acts of all musical genres.