Cai Parker ’27
Nikolai Nawrocki ’26, November’s artist of the month, is iconic for his enormous range of voice. He started singing from a young age, and has grown as a singer and actor who approaches all of his characters and performance with intention and drive, inspiring his audiences and fellow artists with his expressivity, skill, and love for what he does.
Jim Erwin, Choir and Vocal Ensemble director, remarks, “Nikolai has probably the broadest range…he can sing those low notes, but he studies private voice, so he’s also really worked on his high range, too. So I would consider him probably the most dramatic singer from the very lows, stumbling into the very high notes, and singing with a lot of passion and grace.”
On his origins as a singer and actor, Nawrocki explains, “I first started singing when I was three. My mom signed me up for piano classes, and there are actually still videos of me on YouTube performing my own original songs on the piano and singing when I was three..Acting was something I picked up because of my sister, and my first show ever was in sixth grade. I did The Lion King, and that’s when I really fell in love with musical theater…My sister was a big inspiration, because she always had a passion for singing…My mother and father are both in a choir, so they’re a big inspiration to me. As for singing and then acting, I think my sister and just the people I gravitated towards, like my friends, are really impactful to my theater journey.”
Nawrocki attributes much of his development as a singer to his friends and fellow performers, along with his family. Some of Nawrocki’s friends also discuss his singing expertise and what role they think it plays in his life. Fraser Wein ’27, “Nikolai has a very unique voice…because he…has a crazy [pitch] range. [Also,] his work ethic is really nice…In his leadership, he’s improved in his consciousness. He’s always been a very quiet talent, even in middle school. I think the guys, especially, look up to him as a role model, somebody who’s very invested in what he does [and] doesn’t take himself too seriously.” Sam Slye ’27 adds, “Nikolai has always been an amazing singer. I remember I was in sixth grade, and we did Charlie Brown at EA, and I was blown away by his singing then, and he’s only gotten better. He sang Grinch last year, and it was amazing…Music is a big part of his life, at least in the sense that, like, you know, it’s something that you always have to work on and to grow in. And that dedication and passion out of someone…you see that [in him] during rehearsals, during choir. His dedication and commitment to improving really does shine through.”
Photo courtesy of ACDA Music Conference
Theater has also had a considerable impact on Nawrocki, and it makes up an integral part of his life. One of Nawrocki’s friends and castmates, Reid Lawler ’26, notes, “I think music is something he’s really passionate about, and allows him to express himself in a way that a lot of people don’t take advantage of…When he acted in Charlie Brown, it was a sight to behold because he had such great acting choices, and his novice expertise really showed in that performance.” Regarding his favorite theatrical performance and songs, Nawrocki comments, “I think my favorite show that I’ve been in was probably The Addams Family my freshman year. I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed singing my bass part as Lurch. And as far as songs, I really love any song that shows off my vocal range, but also has an impactful message for the listeners to hear and to resonate to.” Nawrocki’s incredible improvement as an artist is unmistakable, especially in the portrayal of his characters. Erwin comments, “I saw Charlie Brown [when he was] in middle school, and he just knocked my socks off. He…just kind of had the nuances of Charlie Brown down…and when he got to the upper school, that skill increased even more…He ended [The Addams Family] with this super passionate soul…And as he was singing that song, I thought, This is Nikolai’s growth, man. He has this huge range. [And] now he can sing [out] his passion…he’s got this beautiful, operatic poise, and that epitomizes his growth.”
