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Biography |
Daily Practice Streak |
Nico began private piano lessons at 5 years old in The Suzuki Method where he learned the importance of regular practice, but "only on the days you eat," now over 4600 days in a row.
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Honors Recitals |
Selected at 8 years old for the "Pianists as Partners" recital at the Colorado Suzuki Institute, Nico decided he'd rather be on the stage than in the audience. For the next 3 years he auditioned for a coveted spot in their Honors Recital and performed in each one.
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Outstanding Performer |
At age 12 (and again at ages 15, 16, and 17), Nico advanced through the 3 round GMTA competition to the state level and received the highest rating of "Outstanding Performer". In the same year he won 3rd prize in the New York Debut Young Musician's International Competition.
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Experienced Performer
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Nico has performed in such legendary venues as Spivey Hall and the main stage (Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage) at Carnegie Hall since the age of 13.
A performer at heart, in addition to the honors recitals, solo recitals, studio recitals, pianothons, musicales, concerts and church services, he also played the Star Spangled Banner for GA Tech Tennis matches and plays it for local County swim meets. On Saturdays, Nico often takes a portable piano to the farmers market to play for tips. He also plays piano for hire. |
Solo Recitals |
In The Suzuki Method, after finishing each curriculum book the student performs all pieces from memory. Nico played his 1st solo recital at barely 6 years old. He performed the 7th and final curriculum book in a paid solo recital a few days after his 14th birthday.
Since finishing the entire Suzuki Method curriculum, Nico continues his training with a concert pianist/piano professor. |
Giving Back
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After completing the entire Suzuki Method curriculum, Nico decided he wanted to give back to the community that helped foster his love for music. He created a free video demo series for each piece in the 2nd curriculum book and then published it on his YouTube channel. It's free for Suzuki families to use for reference. More are planned.
In addition, Nico is co-founder of Play Me Again Pianos, a Georgia Non-Profit whose mission is to place 88 beautifully painted, freely accessible public pianos throughout metropolitan Atlanta to enrich and strengthen communities, inspire joy and bring people together through shared encounters with public music and art. |
Orchestra |
Nico was extremely excited to join the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra of Atlanta (MYSO) for their 30th anniversary season. He was invited back as a guest accompanist in the 31st season to play with their concerto winner in Gregson's Tuba Concerto arranged by the composer for tuba and piano. The experience with MYSO inspired Nico to play with his High School Chamber Orchestra for the next three years.
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Organ /
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In 2021, Nico began organ lessons and, specifically, training to become a church organist.
In 2022, Canton First United Methodist Church hired Nico to be their chancel choir accompanist, playing piano for their rehearsals and the choir anthem during the traditional morning service. In 2023, Nico began playing both piano and organ on Sunday mornings. |
Academics
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A senior in the Wheeler High School Magnet program, the Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math and Technology, Nico completed the engineering pathway, earned an academic letter in every year of high school, and graduated with honor and the Magnet Seal.
On the swim team for all of high school, he lettered in both junior and senior years, and was nominated and served as swim team captain in 12th grade. Nico will be attending university in the fall to major in piano performance. |
194 Word Biography |
Nico began piano lessons at five years old and gave his first solo piano recital at age six, each piece from memory. Trained in the Suzuki Method, he won a coveted spot in the Honors Recital at the Colorado Suzuki Institute three years in a row. Nico earned the highest rating of "Outstanding Performer" in the GMTA state competition four times and won third prize in the NY Young Musicians International Competition. From age 13, Nico has performed in such legendary venues as Spivey Hall and the main stage (Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage) at Carnegie Hall, and at fourteen he played his first paid solo recital. Nico is currently seventeen and has never missed a day of practice, over 4600 days in a row.
Nico joined the Metropolitan Youth Symphony of Atlanta for their 30th Anniversary season, which inspired him to participate in his high school chamber orchestra. He graduated with honor from the Wheeler High School magnet program, the Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math and Technology, is employed as the chancel choir pianist and organist at a local church, and is co-founder of Play Me Again Pianos, a Georgia nonprofit charity. |
99 Word Biography |
Nico began piano lessons at age five and gave his first solo piano recital at age six. He received the highest rating of "Outstanding Performer" in the GMTA state competition four times and won third prize in the NY Young Musicians International Competition. At thirteen, he played in a Summer Gala on the main stage at Carnegie Hall, and at fourteen he played his first paid solo recital. Employed as the chancel choir pianist and organist at a local church, currently at seventeen years old, Nico has never missed a day of practice, over 4600 days in a row.
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