Nicholas Skotzko
About
My name is Nicholas Skotzko, and I am a classically trained baritone specializing in Bel Canto technique. I earned my Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Oklahoma and then went on to receive my Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma in Vocal Performance at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. I currently live in Washington Heights, Manhattan and primarily do gig work in the city and neighboring Connecticut and New Jersey. I recently performed in the World Premiere of The Leopard by Michael Dellaira and made my Opera North debut in 2022, singing Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte and Il Barone in La Traviata. Other notable performances include Il Conte in Le Nozze di Figaro and Tsar Dodon in The Golden Cockerel. I have participated in several music festivals including Legnica Cantat: Age of Sing (Polish Premiere of Voice of Light, soloist), The Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, and the Messiah Festival of the Arts (Bass Soloist). Additional vocal and acting training included participation in Musiktheater Bavaria in 2018, and The Washington National Opera Institute in 2015.
I teach using a an appoggio (lean in Italian) method. In short, this technique emphasizes singing with the most relax and open throat while "leaning" on the breath to deliver success in your singing. Most importantly though, I teach with the students mind and mental well being as a top priority. While achieving vocal brilliance is the goal, so too is a clear mind with hardly any tension. To that end my teaching will include strategies and tools to release the body of unwanted tension, so that you may be as free as possible thus helping you achieve your singing goals.