As one of the most creative and innovative cellists performing today, her musical experiences and formidable history are the foundation of her identifiable sound and style. Accomplished on both acoustic and electric cello, Nioka's experiences have inspired collaborations from diverse disciplines. Born into a family of esteemed musicians - her uncle bassist Arthur Harper and her celebrated father, bassist Reggie Workman, Nioka continues to live up to her musical DNA.

Ms. Workman performs and records with many notable Jazz composers such as Anthony Braxton, David Murray, Steve Coleman and Greg Osby. Most recently, Nioka contracted, recorded and arranged music for Grammy nominated Bettye LaVette and for “Bird Calls”, a birthday celebration for the prolific saxophonist Charlie Parker, produced by the Jazz Foundation of America. . Her credits in recording and television includes appearances on Oxygen, Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live with Grammy award winning artist India Arie, Beyonce and Joe.

Touring around the country began at an early age with her family. She lived in Japan (Hino Terumasa/ Tommy Flanagan tour), in California with (Herbie Mann), and spent summers with her family Andre & Gwen Persiani in France. In the early 2000's Nioka was part of a European tour with Sony recording artist, actor Saul Williams. The ensemble appeared on Canal + , the Chris Rock Show, Montreaux Jazz Festival (Live Human, Ronnie Size) and in a SnoCore USA tour with Nikka Costa, Ozomatli, Blackalicious, Michael Franti/Spearhead. Additional tours include a 2010, feature in the Cooper Moore Project at Sons d' Hiver, France and a mini tour called "Diamonds Are Forever" with Kanye West, Jay-Z and Common.

Nioka's father gave her a cello at age 10. Her formal training began at the New Muse in Brooklyn. She continued to study music diligently at Henry Street Settlement and auditioned for the High School of Music & Art. In the summer she attended Interlochen. In the Fall, she trained with the All City High School Orchestra on the weekends. Nioka has a Bachelor's degree in classical cello from Queens College with additional credits in composition and Jazz from the New School Jazz program.

In 2020, Nioka received the Bessie Award for Sound Design/Music Composition with nia love and Antoine Roney for g1(HOST). Her love for composing music for dance has blossomed into several partnerships. In 2019, the BCA Arts Fund in partnership with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs awarded Nioka a grant to design music for Germaul Barnes'  gHEM.in.I. In 2013, she received the American Composer's Forum, Live Music for Dance Award  to compose music for the Thread's Dance Company/Karen Charles. Nioka spent four years in a summer residency with the Joffrey Ballet Jazz program with Rent choreographer Marlies Yearby. Currently, Nioka is collaborating with the Leslie Parker Dance Project.

Upon graduation from college, Nioka freelanced with several chamber and orchestral organizations like the New York Women's Ensemble, Opera Ebony, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Trilogy Opera Company, Cassandra Wilson’s Traveling Miles Orchestra (Lincoln Center/Chicago), David Murray’s ‘A Salute to Duke Ellington’ Orchestra, the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra and the Uptown String Quartet. Additional groups include memberships with the Kitchen House Blend, Art of Memory by Kitty Brazzleton, Trilogy Opera Company, Avery Brooks/Craig Harris Project, Anthony Davis/Molissa Fenley’s Hemisphere and Butch Morris Conductions.

Nioka's teaching experiences have led to holding positions at  the Harlem School of the Arts, Queensborough College, Packer Collegiate, and as a Suzuki cello teacher and music director at the Noel Pointer School of Music. She is currently the co-founder of 52 Studio Arts 

In the theater world, Nioka has has just finished a short run on broadway with the exciting; Once Upon A One More Time featuring Justin Guarini. She has performed in a variety of different settings off broadway including; solo features  in Eve Insler's Extraordinary Measures starring James Lescerne and Marty Pottenger's #PhillySavesEarth. Additional show credits include the Running Man, Curvy Widow and the hit 2016-17 revival of Sweet Charity starring Sutton Foster at Signature Theater on 42nd Street. 

Nioka tours with her Jazz chamber ensemble, the Firey String Sistas! The band’s CD called "That's What She Said". The CD has been met with high acclaim. . The ensemble is currently working on a new CD.

Through the Firey Strings Company, Nioka is 'giving back' to her community by creating events and workshops for women and string improvisors.