Nicholas started playing the piano at a young age of five and over the years, he has accumulated extensive experience in performance, as well as achieving top marks in graded examinations (both practical and theory). In his performance journey, he has won numerous awards, both locally and internationally.
Most recently, he won the 2021 Kault Prize, awarded by the VMTA (Victorian Music Teachers’ Association) and 2022 Ann & Chris Krans Music Award. In 2019, Nicholas won First Prize in the Bernstein National Piano Competition, as well as prizes in The Musical Society of Victoria’s Nehama Patkin Memorial Award, Eisteddfod by the Bay The Reg and Lil Lewis Memorial Romantic Era and 2020 Balwyn High School’s Music Scholarship, 2017 Waverley Music Eisteddfod, 2016 Melbourne International Music Competition, 2018 Best Haydn Performance, Music of The 19th Century, 2019 Best Mozart Performance, 2020 Best Debussy Performance in the Great Composers Competition.
In 2021, Nicholas was invited to perform live on radio The Talent 3MBS (103.5FM).
At the international front, Nicholas debuted at Carnegie Hall, New York in 2018 for the American Protégé Winners’ Recital.
While under the tutelage of maestro Mr. Glenn Riddle, a leading pedagogue, Nicholas was awarded the Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA ~ Distinction) and Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA) at a young age of 15 and 16 respectively. Nicholas had also attended various masterclasses by Dr. Kenji Fujimura, Professor Max Cooke, Richard Chamberlain, Darryl Coote and Elizabeth Mitchell.
Nicholas is a versatile teacher, fun, patient and high-spirited, and he is very adaptable to suit each student’s needs and ability, nurturing and honing their skills for performance to their best ability. Nicholas specialises in teaching both AMEB and ABRSM syllabus.
In addition to piano, Nicholas loves singing. From a young age, Nicholas showed immense interest in singing and honing his talent in the early years, he was handpicked to be the chorister with the National Boys’ Choir of Australia (NBCA). Nicholas’s musical and voice studies intensified when enrolled at Balwyn High School’s singing program, whereby he was presented with ample performing opportunities at school, festivals, Eisteddfods and charity events. Under the guidance of Melanie White, at age 14, Nicholas won 2nd Prize at the 2019 Music Society of Victoria’s Ron McNicol Vocal Award (category age 18 & under) as well as the Eisteddfod By The Bay. In the 2018 Balwyn High School Music Scholarship (Junior Section), Nicholas won 1st Prize and in 2017 he won 2nd Prize at the Eisteddfod By The Bay and 3rd Prize at the 2016 Junior Vocal Melbourne International Music Competition at Deakin Edge. Nicholas had also attended voice lessons with Greg Mills, a musical director who has produced artists like Guy Sebastian, Marina Prior, The Young Divas & Wendy Matthews.
Nicholas also loves the challenge to continuously upskill his knowledge with graded exams (currently AMEB Singing Repertoire Grade 5). He is qualified and fluent in coaching pop music, classical, jazz, RnB and contemporary styling ~ teaching pitch, key, vibrato from beginners to advanced.
His lessons focus on the fundamentals of voice and breathing techniques, to uncover your natural singing voice, mastering voice control, power and strength. He will help build on your strengths, fill in the gaps and work on overcoming weaknesses at your own pace. With every lesson, you will improve and experience gradual breakthroughs.
Having studied and highly skilled in both piano and singing performance, lessons can also be combined as “voice with piano/keys” or “song-writing with piano/keys”.
Nicholas also plays the violin and he was an active member of his high school’s orchestra and he is now an active member at the small ensemble at the music faculty.
As the Principal of Balwyn Music Studio, his aim is to inspire young minds to become the best musician they can be.
Continuing his musical journey, Nicholas is studying double degree (Bachelor of Music Performance and Bachelor of Science) at Monash University. He hopes to “give back” his knowledge and skills to the younger generation and community.