Marilyn Nonken is one of the most celebrated champions of the modern repertoire of her generation, known for performances that explore transcendent virtuosity and extremes of musical expression. Upon her 1993 New York debut, she was heralded as "a determined protector of important music" (New York Times). Acclaimed internationally as a soloist, she is also known for her work with Ensemble 21 (of which she is a co-founder) and the Australian ensemble Elision. Composers who have written for her include Milton Babbitt, Pascal Dusapin, Michael Finnissy, Liza Lim, Tristan Murail, and David Rakowski, as well as emerging Americans Jason Eckardt, Laurie San Martin, Drew Baker, and David Langanella. She has recorded for New World, BMOP Sound, Bridge, Mode, Cairos, Lovely Music, Albany, Metier, Divine Art, Innova, CRI, Tzadik, and New Focus; recent releases include Rakowski’s Piano Concerto (Boston Modern Orchestra Project, under Gil Rose,) Brian Ferneyhough’s Les Froissements des Ailes de Gabriel and La chute d’Icare (Elision, under Jean DeRoyer), Olivier Messiaen's Visions de l'Amen (with Sarah Rothenberg), and piano works of emerging Americans Drew Baker and David Laganella.

Marilyn Nonken was a student of David Burge at the Eastman School and received a Ph.D. from Columbia University. Currently Director of Piano Studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School, she is a Steinway artist.