A teacher, singer, conductor, and pianist/accompanist/coach based out of Cleveland, OH, Nicholas Klein, tenor, is often known for his warmth and clarity of tone in addition to his exceptional musicianship. Dr. Klein is a member of the music faculty at Cleveland State University as a Lecturer and the Head of Voice in the School of Music. Prior to his time at CSU, Dr. Klein served as a Lecturer in Vocal Music at Eastern Washington University and at Seattle Pacific University as an Instructor of Voice and the director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Nicholas has also served as Director of Music for numerous churches including Central Lutheran Church in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle and at St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, OH, where he also served as the Interim Director of Music for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. In addition to his duties as Director of Music, Nicholas was also a tenured soloist and section leader of the St. Joseph Cathedral Schola. Nicholas has been recognized internationally as a soloist and chorus member for his performances in Hungary, Switzerland and Italy (Tuscany region and Rome). Recent engagements/roles include Dr. Caius (Falstaff) with Puget Sound Concert Opera, BWV 97 (Soloist) with the Seattle Bach Choir, Larry/Matt (The Face on the Barroom Floor), Don José (Carmen - excerpts), and Flavio (Norma). Nicholas is also a member of Choral Audacity, a professional choir based in the San Francisco bay area.

 

Previously, Nicholas was the Director of Choral Activities at Grove City High School, where his choirs earned numerous awards including vocal, divisional championship, grand champion awards and superior ratings at the state and regional level. Prior to his tenure at Grove City High School, Nicholas served as the Director of Choirs at Jackson Middle School, where his Symphonic Choir was selected to perform a solo concert at the OMEA State Conference for Professional Development.

 

Nicholas holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Washington where his research focused on The Efficacy of Mental Practice for Motor Skill Enhancement in Singing. Secondary areas of research include Vocal Pedagogy for Transgender singers, and homoerotic subtexts in the music of Benjamin Britten. Dr. Klein has also earned a Master of Music degree in Music Education from the Capital University Conservatory of Music in partnership with the Zoltan Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary, a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from the Capital University Conservatory of Music, and a Kodály Certificate from the Zoltan Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary. During Nicholas’ time at Capital University, he was a featured soloist and section leader in the Chapel Choir and Philomel (Lynda Hasseler, conductor). He received numerous awards and honors, such as being selected annually for the scholarship competition all four years of his undergraduate studies. Additionally, he received the outstanding vocal music educator award twice. He was cast as the lead in two musicals and an opera. Nicholas competed four times at the Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, where he won the Freshman Men’s Classical Division, Freshman/Sophomore Men’s and Women’s Musical Theater Division, the Senior Men’s Classical Division and the Junior and Senior Men’s and Women’s Musical Theater Division.