Nicky McGrath (MMusS, BCI) is a vocal pedagogue and performer specialising in popular musics and musical theatre with a passion for barbershop harmony. Nicky holds a Master of Music Studies (Vocal Pedagogy) with distinction and the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence from the Queensland Conservatorium (Australia). Her teaching philosophy is equal parts joy and science, grounded in free, efficient, sustainable voice use. Nicky works with healthy and injured voices in her private voice studio, is a Professor of Voice at Sheridan College (Canada) as part of their industry-leading musical theatre degree, and is the founder of The Singers' Circle, an online community for passionate singers to further their voice education.
In the barbershop world, Nicky serves as Dean of the Voice College for Harmony University (BHS), is a sought-after coach and clinician, and produces learning tracks. Nicky made her international barbershop quartet debut in 2019 singing lead with Obsession Quartet (SAI Region 34) and currently sings lead in Oxford Comma Quartet (BHS Ontario District).
Her dissertation about barbershop music was the first of its kind in Australia, a work that has supported Australian organisations in their own development towards nurturing sustainable music communities.
As a little girl, Nicky loved to sing for her family and friends because it created a pathway for immediate and meaningful connection with others. It's this philosophy which drives her career and the way she lives today.
Since 2012, she’s had a vibrant and successful career managing creative projects, specialising in business development and coaching.
These days, Nicky relishes the opportunity to live her passion as a full-time musician and voice teacher, combining her experience as a successful business woman with her desire to be creative and nurture others.
LOVE NOTES
“Nicky is very passionate, knowledgeable and friendly, and very willing to share her insights and tips about singing, breathing and vocal pedagogy... She delivers her class in a way that is relatable and easy for a ‘layman’ to understand.” (Natalie)
"Her passion, enthusiasm, and ability to really connect with her students on an individual and personal level just really resonated with me.
I felt instantly comfortable and willing to be vulnerable to achieve my goals." (Lauren)
“Nicky’s passion and patience is brilliant with my 6 year old! Highly recommended - she’s talented and so delightful to bring my son into the world of music! We love how she tailors his classes directly with his interests and musical aspirations!!” (Hanna)
qualifications
Master of Music Studies
Vocal Pedagogy/Research
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
Graduated with Distinction and the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence
Bachelor Of Creative Industries
Entertainment Industries/Music Studies
Queensland University of Technology
NLP Core Skills Practitioner
Memberships
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS)
The Voice Foundation
Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS)
The Speakeasy Cooperative