Born in Switzerland, grew up in the south of Germany but moved to New Zealand with her family at only 8 years old. She speaks Italian and German fluently and trained to be a Lyric Soprano Opera Singer, having sung professionally with Opera New Zealand since 1998. Acting since the age of 8 with a professional Theatre production of Joseph and the 'Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' and 'The King and I', she made her US debut in the Paramount Pictures film 'Without a Paddle'.
Nadine's sister, Melina Bernecker, played the role of Myrtle in the widely acclaimed film "An Angle at My Table", Directed by Jane Campion.