Known mainly as a conductor and jazz pianist, Nanisi has the distinction of being the first open lesbian to conduct on the stage of D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. She has degrees in music from Boston University and studied for her doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. Aside from her performance as a timpanist with several orchestras and appearing at several women's music festivals as pianist with MoonRise jazz trio, she has been Artistic Director of NYC's Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corpse and conductor for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. She served as Artistic Director for LGBA's appearance at Gay Games III in Vancouver, Canada and Gay Games IV at New York's Madison Square Garden. She was also assistant conductor of The Women's Chorus of Dallas.
While living in New York City, Nanisi was a member of the playwriting group Women's Ensemble. Several of her novels and short stories grew from scenes written for that group. Nanisi has traveled extensively and loves to write about the paces she's visited. When multiple sclerosis curtailed travel and performing, she returned to her second love, writing. She currently lives in Oklahoma. For more information, visit facebook.com/nanisibarrettdarnuk.