Hailed by the Indianapolis News as "a world of talent, displaying lyrical beauty, percussive driving power never out of control, and never without security and assurance," pianist Nicholas Roth began his formal studies at age twelve, and was receiving critical acclaim for his appearances by the age of eighteen. He has appeared as soloist with the St. Louis Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony under Raymond Leppard, among many others. Roth has been featured in recital series and festivals throughout the United States, Mexico, Germany, and Spain.

Roth was a 1993 Beethoven Fellow of the American Pianists Association, which provided him concert management for three years. He has won first prizes in several international competitions including the chamber music competitions of Tortona and Pietra Ligure, Italy. He was the recipient of a Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) grant that enabled him to further his studies in Germany. He was honored by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana for his "contribution to the performing arts, his accomplishments as a concert pianist, and his inspiration to young musicians."

Roth holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University, an Artist Diploma from the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, and MM and BM degrees from Indiana University, where he was the recipient of the School of Music's highest honors including the Performer's Certificate and the Joseph Battista Memorial Scholarship. His teachers include Ralph Votapek, Elisso Virsaladze, Helmut Deutsch, Edward Auer, Emilio del Rosario, and Michel Block.

Listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers & Educators, Roth is gaining recognition throughout the nation for excellence in teaching and lecturing. As a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), he is a frequent presenter and adjudicator for MTNA events. He has been a guest artist for several summer music programs, including Western Michigan University, Goshen College, Centrum Music Festival in Port Townsend, WA. Prior to his appointment at Drake University, Roth was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and Alma College.

His recordings with the Blue Griffin Recording label have garnered many favorable reviews from International Record Review, Gramophone, Fanfare, and American Record Guide.