[4] Zuraitis began to sing jazz with a local community college big band after being encouraged by her high school music director.

After a brief period performing opera professionally after graduation, she moved back to New York City to pursue songwriting and jazz in 2009.

[14] Zuraitis has collaborated with Christian McBride, David Cook, Gilad Hekselman, Veronica Swift, Benny Benack, Stephen Feifke, Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez (drummer), Dave Stryker, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Helen Sung, and Bernard Purdie.

[15] Zuraitis' performance of Dolly Parton’s Jolene (song) in collaboration with the Dan Pugach Nonet received a Grammy Award nomination in 2019 for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals.

[17] Nicole is the only person or female, as of 2024, to have ever won Best Jazz Vocal album for a recording completely written and arranged by the artist herself.