Teaching Philosophy: "All music is a conversation between the musician and the listener, a universal language of self-expression and community connection. Every voice has something worth saying! My role as a teacher is to give you the tools and language to join in that tradition.
The voice is the oldest musical instrument, and the most mysterious. Thankfully, it is the most universal instrument and one of the easiest to start! Anyone with a good ear for music is capable of singing well. I focus on helping students discover and explore their natural voice, and then begin to guide them in the traditions of their choosing. Whether you like to sing pop, opera, musicals, or the blues, there’s nothing more valuable than understanding how your instrument works! A singing teacher is there to guide your own self-discovery and provide the framework for you to grow in whatever direction you choose. I strive to instill freedom, versatility, and strength in every singing student.
The same is true for the student composer! Those who would write music must understand how the language actually works: we must study spelling, grammar, structure, and form. Once students have mastered an element of writing, they have the freedom to use or discard those tools in their own music. My values for student composers are the same as for student singers! We will pursue freedom of style by striving to understand how music actually works, versatility of ability by studying genre and instrumentation, and strength of technique by striving to be excellent musicians. Anyone can learn to write music, and every musician should try their hand at composition!
Composers should also study instruments, which is why I am happy to provide beginning instruction on piano and guitar. Piano skills are essential for every musician, no matter your style, so I ensure that all my students receive basic instruction. The guitar is one of my favorite instruments, being indispensable in most styles of American music. Whether you want to strum chords or learn fingerstyle, I am available to provide a solid foundation for study."
Biography: Nicholas Ford is a composer, vocalist, and writer from Scutchalo country in Mississippi. Mr. Ford enjoys performing and writing in a wide variety of styles, from bel canto to the blues to experimental new music. He is a composer and performer with the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in Boston, MA.
Mr. Ford studied vocal performance at the Mississippi School of the Arts with Patton Rice before moving on to Mississippi College, where he studied composition with Benjamin Williams and voice with Dr. Viola Dacus and Ross Price. He completed his graduate studies at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, continuing his vocal study with the tenor Frank Kelly and studying composition with Timothy McCormack and Eun Young Lee. He also studied guitar with Abigail Zocher and Berta Rojas.
Nicholas began teaching in 2020 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in July 2023, where he teaches voice, piano, and guitar.
The voice is the oldest musical instrument, and the most mysterious. Thankfully, it is the most universal instrument and one of the easiest to start! Anyone with a good ear for music is capable of singing well. I focus on helping students discover and explore their natural voice, and then begin to guide them in the traditions of their choosing. Whether you like to sing pop, opera, musicals, or the blues, there’s nothing more valuable than understanding how your instrument works! A singing teacher is there to guide your own self-discovery and provide the framework for you to grow in whatever direction you choose. I strive to instill freedom, versatility, and strength in every singing student.
The same is true for the student composer! Those who would write music must understand how the language actually works: we must study spelling, grammar, structure, and form. Once students have mastered an element of writing, they have the freedom to use or discard those tools in their own music. My values for student composers are the same as for student singers! We will pursue freedom of style by striving to understand how music actually works, versatility of ability by studying genre and instrumentation, and strength of technique by striving to be excellent musicians. Anyone can learn to write music, and every musician should try their hand at composition!
Composers should also study instruments, which is why I am happy to provide beginning instruction on piano and guitar. Piano skills are essential for every musician, no matter your style, so I ensure that all my students receive basic instruction. The guitar is one of my favorite instruments, being indispensable in most styles of American music. Whether you want to strum chords or learn fingerstyle, I am available to provide a solid foundation for study."
Biography: Nicholas Ford is a composer, vocalist, and writer from Scutchalo country in Mississippi. Mr. Ford enjoys performing and writing in a wide variety of styles, from bel canto to the blues to experimental new music. He is a composer and performer with the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble in Boston, MA.
Mr. Ford studied vocal performance at the Mississippi School of the Arts with Patton Rice before moving on to Mississippi College, where he studied composition with Benjamin Williams and voice with Dr. Viola Dacus and Ross Price. He completed his graduate studies at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, continuing his vocal study with the tenor Frank Kelly and studying composition with Timothy McCormack and Eun Young Lee. He also studied guitar with Abigail Zocher and Berta Rojas.
Nicholas began teaching in 2020 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in July 2023, where he teaches voice, piano, and guitar.
