Musical direction
Evelyn Nicholson MA (Lond) MA (Bris) PPRNCM A Mus LCM PGCE
Evelyn founded the choir and accompanies them in major concerts. She trained at University in Wales and at the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied with Andrew Field, Caroline Crawshaw and Audrey Langford (also with Sena Jurinac at the Musikhochschule in Vienna.) She made her debut with WNO as Elvira in Verdi's Ernani with Richard Armstrong and Sir Edward Downes, Donna Elvira at Scottish Opera, Musetta at ENO and Aida at Opera North and followed with many other principal roles with these companies. She has also appeared in France in Lyon and for French TV in Haydn's Creation from Vezelay, and Liu in Turandot (Vaison la Romaine Festival) with members of the Paris Opera. She is a sought-after oratorio artist with a wide repertoire and a recitalist and concert performer, recently performing Verdi's Requiem at various venues in England and Wales. She has often sung at the Covent Garden Festival. She appeared with Alberto Ramedios at the Edinburgh Festival for the Wagner Society as Sieglinde in Die Wallkure and for Landestheater Dessau as Venus in Tannhauser.
Like many good professionals, Evelyn is also a talented teacher, having been trained in bel canto technique, and many of her students have gone on to sing in West End Musicals whilst others have won scholarships to major music schools in the UK. She received much of her training in choral leadership with the Elizabethan Madrigal Singers at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and has considerable experience in training choirs. She has also composed a number of the arrangements for the choir and personally trains a number of gifted members of the choir in singing. Her singing students are encouraged to join the choir, but this is not essential for those wishing to just have singing lessons.
Like many good professionals, Evelyn is also a talented teacher, having been trained in bel canto technique, and many of her students have gone on to sing in West End Musicals whilst others have won scholarships to major music schools in the UK. She received much of her training in choral leadership with the Elizabethan Madrigal Singers at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and has considerable experience in training choirs. She has also composed a number of the arrangements for the choir and personally trains a number of gifted members of the choir in singing. Her singing students are encouraged to join the choir, but this is not essential for those wishing to just have singing lessons.
Christian Jenkins MA BMus Dip ABRSM
Christian started his musical education at the age of eight when he was selected to be a chorister at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle. While there, he had the opportunity to sing in events such as Princess Margaret’s funeral, the Queen Mother's Requiem and the Garter Ceremonies.
Following a family relocation, Christian continued as a chorister at Tewkesbury Abbey where he sang solos such as the Allegri Miserere (St Thomas’ Cathedral NYC, Radio 3 Broadcast, Neresheim Abbey), Handel’s Messiah and Bach Passions.
As his voice broke, he began to train his voice as a baritone and went on to complete his education at The King’s School Gloucester where he performed in many ceremonies in the cathedral as well as leading the school orchestra.
During this time, Christian was asked to be a conductor for the Nidus Children’s Choir. Under Christian’s leadership, the choir has grown from eight, to nearly thirty members and has recorded with Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and Vangelis. The choir won the title ‘Show Choir of the World’ at the Llangollen Eisteddfod 2013, and a silver medal for Great Britain at the World Choir Games in Riga 2014 and Graz 2008. With an exciting baritone voice, after an initial degree in Music at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2014 he attended Bristol University, where he became a Master of Arts in Musicology in 2018.
Apart from the choir, Christian enjoys arranging and composing. He is currently writing music for stage plays, TV adverts and for the choir.
Following a family relocation, Christian continued as a chorister at Tewkesbury Abbey where he sang solos such as the Allegri Miserere (St Thomas’ Cathedral NYC, Radio 3 Broadcast, Neresheim Abbey), Handel’s Messiah and Bach Passions.
As his voice broke, he began to train his voice as a baritone and went on to complete his education at The King’s School Gloucester where he performed in many ceremonies in the cathedral as well as leading the school orchestra.
During this time, Christian was asked to be a conductor for the Nidus Children’s Choir. Under Christian’s leadership, the choir has grown from eight, to nearly thirty members and has recorded with Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and Vangelis. The choir won the title ‘Show Choir of the World’ at the Llangollen Eisteddfod 2013, and a silver medal for Great Britain at the World Choir Games in Riga 2014 and Graz 2008. With an exciting baritone voice, after an initial degree in Music at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2014 he attended Bristol University, where he became a Master of Arts in Musicology in 2018.
Apart from the choir, Christian enjoys arranging and composing. He is currently writing music for stage plays, TV adverts and for the choir.
Supporters
Nidus Children’s Choir is a voluntary run community group with its own constitution, committee and bank accounts. A committee of supportive parents meets regularly and works closely with the musical direction to run the choir logistically and help raise funds to enable the children to experience new opportunities and challenges as well as organise social events and fun days.
Nidus Theatre Arts sponsors the choir with its staff volunteering their time and expertise to assist with running the choir and donating normal rehearsal space completely free of charge. The creative/artistic team who work with Evelyn and Christian are Heidi Nicholson, Gabriela Nicholson-Dunbar and Nick Dunbar who are often researching, writing arrangements, organising music, backing tracks etc. as well as assisting with rehearsals and concerts when called upon. For information on the stage school please visit its website.
Together we hope to continue with our success!
Nidus Theatre Arts sponsors the choir with its staff volunteering their time and expertise to assist with running the choir and donating normal rehearsal space completely free of charge. The creative/artistic team who work with Evelyn and Christian are Heidi Nicholson, Gabriela Nicholson-Dunbar and Nick Dunbar who are often researching, writing arrangements, organising music, backing tracks etc. as well as assisting with rehearsals and concerts when called upon. For information on the stage school please visit its website.
Together we hope to continue with our success!
