Born in Split, Croatia, Nikolina Ljiljak began studying piano at the age of seven under the guidance of Natalia Curkan. At seventeen, she became a student of Jadranka Garin at the University of Split’s Arts Academy. After receiving her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance in 2012, she moved to Vienna to pursue postgraduate studies with Martin Hughes at the University of Music and Performing Arts. Two years later, she continued her postgraduate studies in Piano Chamber Music with Marialena Fernandes.
Nikolina has received several prizes in various competitions, including notable first prizes at international competitions for young pianists in Italy (Città di Minerbio 2001) and Croatia (Young Virtuoso Zagreb 2002 and EPTA Osijek 2003) and a first prize at the International Chamber Music Competition Cameristi dell'Alpe Adria in Italy (2014).
She was awarded the Dean’s and Rector’s Prizes from the University of Split for exceptional academic achievements. Nikolina has performed as both a soloist and chamber musician across Europe and participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as A. Valdma, N. Troull, K. Gekić, N. Flores, R. Mamou, and J.É. Soucy.
She collaborated as an accompanist at the Wiener Meisterkurse and served as the official accompanist at the 12th International Cello Competition A. Janigro (Junior) as well as at the 7th International Cello Competition A. Janigro in Zagreb, Croatia.
From 2019 to 2024, she held a position as an accompanist at the Strings Institute of the Music Academy in Zagreb.  

In October 2024, she was appointed as accompanist at the Fritz Kreisler Institute for String Instruments at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.