Nikki spins her life around her music, making space to perform in multiple fields and genres. A classical harpist by trade she holds a Masters in Music Performance from Northwestern University. Nikki grew up studying the harp with her mother and performing professionally in her hometown of Duluth before moving to the Twin Cities as an established nationally touring harpist. Nikki has recently been seen performing as an opener and collaborator with various local songwriters including Charlie Parr, Matthew French, Molly Maher, Sarah Morris, Katy Tessman and Maygen & The Birdwatcher. 

Songwriting has always been a part of Nikki’s musical pastime, writing at the piano, autoharp, and on her Lyon and Healy pedal harp. It is only recently as part of a songwriting collective that she has found her unique voice with her harp. Her original solo music features her expressive vocals over complex and hypnotic accompaniment. She dives deep into moving themes surrounding motherhood, love and loss. Her song "Let the Rain Come In" brought her second place in the Duluth Dylan Fest 2023 Songwriting Competition. 

Employing modern harp effects and textures, loop and electric guitar pedals, Nikki Lemire's songs sit somewhere  between the old folk bedrock of Joan Baez, the musical innovation of Joni Mitchell, and the influential pop stylings of  Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. Through layering, and minimalistic arpeggiation, Nikki artfully shapes the music to her words,  creating a sound that refuses to adhere to any one particular genre, somehow feeling old and new at the same time.

Nikki also performs periodically with David Harland, Molly Maher, Katy Tessman, Mae Simpson Music, and the International Treasures. Nikki and David Harland will be releasing a Holiday collaboration album in December of 2023. 

In addition to her solo work, Nikki is also a band member of:  
The Foxgloves  
Josh Cleveland Band