2017 Grammy Music Educator Award Finalist Profile: Richard Nickerson
Having taught music for nearly 30 years, Richard Nickerson is considered a mainstay in the Portland, Maine music education community.
Following his Music Educator Grammy Award nomination, I had the opportunity to talk to Rick about his approach to music education, specifically choral and vocal education. Even though Rick has seen very little change in the actual student make-up and thirst for knowledge, he has seen incredible change over the years in the technology available to teach music. He marvels at how easy it is to network and connect with the global music education network, which has always been traditionally strong.
Rick has a passion and energy for music and music education that is immediately palatable. He has chosen to channel that exuberance into a lifetime of learning for his students. It’s evident that Rick feels the ultimate reward for his dedication and hard work is watching his students carry forward their musical learning into future pursuits.
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About
In constant demand as a guest conductor and clinician, he has made guest appearances in 18 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 8 European countries. This year, he will conduct festival choirs in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and New York. He has conducted in major concert venues throughout the world, making his Carnegie Hall debut in 1998. He returned to Carnegie Hall last April to conduct a festival choir made up of singers from Maine. He served for 8 seasons (2007-2014), as the conductor of the “Magic of Christmas” Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He also spent 8 years (2001-2009), as the Artistic Director of the Boy Singers of Maine. His choirs have performed for numerous dignitaries, including 3 US Presidents.
Dr. Nickerson has received numerous awards including Maine Music Educator of the Year, Maine Distinguished Choral Director of the Year and runner up for Maine Teacher of the Year. In January 2009, he was recognized by Choral Director Magazine as one of 10 “Choral Directors of Note” in the United States. The past December, he was named as a top ten finalist for the Music Educator Grammy© Award.
He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Maine Music Educators Association, United Church of Christ Musicians Association, American Choral Directors Association and Choral Canada. In 1997, a group of parents began a scholarship in his name, which is awarded each year to a Windham High School graduate planning to make choral music a part of their college experience.
Nickerson received a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Music Education, the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music – University of Missouri – Kansas City.
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