Role

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Conductor

 

Christopher Nicholls is a renowned conductor and pianist in the world of classical music. Born in Toronto, Canada in 1971, Nicholls showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He went on to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, Nicholls continued his musical education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting. He also studied at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he worked with renowned conductors such as David Zinman and James Conlon. Nicholls began his professional career as a pianist, performing in recitals and as a soloist with orchestras in Canada and the United States. However, he soon discovered a passion for conducting and began to focus his career in that direction. He served as the assistant conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in Ontario, Canada from 1998 to 2001, and later as the associate conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in Tennessee from 2001 to 2004. In 2004, Nicholls was appointed the music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Ontario, Canada. During his tenure with the orchestra, he led them in numerous critically acclaimed performances and recordings, including a highly praised recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 5. He also collaborated with a number of renowned soloists, including pianist Anton Kuerti and cellist Shauna Rolston. In addition to his work with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Nicholls has conducted a number of other orchestras in Canada and the United States, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He has also conducted opera productions with companies such as the Canadian Opera Company and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Nicholls has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2006, he was awarded the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award for orchestral conducting by the Canada Council for the Arts. He has also been a recipient of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Award and the Heinz Unger Award for conducting. In addition to his work as a conductor, Nicholls is also an accomplished pianist and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Canada, the United States, and Europe. He has recorded several CDs as a pianist, including a critically acclaimed recording of the complete piano works of Canadian composer Jean Coulthard. Nicholls is known for his passionate and insightful interpretations of classical music, and his ability to connect with both audiences and musicians. He is highly respected in the classical music community and is considered one of Canada's leading conductors.

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