Nicky Spence
Nicky Spence enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as their youngest singer, taking up a scholarship to complete his BMus, MMus and MMP studies with distinction, and where he has just completed their award-winning Opera Course. In demand as a tenor from a young age, Nicky’s voice and personality attracted the young Scotsman a long-term recording contract with Universal Classics and increasing recognition on stage, radio and television as a presenter and performer alike, having contributed to tours and Platinum-selling discs the world over.
Very experienced in recital, oratorio and opera, Nicky has performed on platforms all over the world from the Wigmore Hall to the Royal Albert Hall. As a soloist in diverse repertoire ranging from Handel and Mozart to Britten and Jonathan Dove he has collaborated with orchestras such as the Philharmonia, the RPO, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the RSNO, and the Southbank Sinfonia, and with artists which include Bryn Terfel, Graham Johnson, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Thomas Allen, and even Dame Shirley Bassey. A proud Britten-Pears Young Artist and Samling Scholar, his awards include the Kathleen Ferrier Young Singer’s Bursary Award, the Young Classical Performer of the Year nomination at the Classical Brit Awards, and a place in the final of the Gold Medal at the Guildhall School.
Keen to work at the very highest level, Nicky continues his studies with vocal professor John Evans and has just been awarded a place at the National Opera Studio where he is generously supported by Scottish Opera, the Musicians Benevolent Fund, and The Countess of Munster Trust. Future plans include a collaboration with Malcolm Martineau for a BBC Radio 3 Britten Recording and Song-Cycle series, Tom Rakewell The Rake’s Progress for BYO, Jacquino Fidelio for Opera Holland Park, and a CD of Alun Hoddinott Songs to be internationally released later in the year.