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The Hungarian-born mezzo-soprano and choral conductor and music instructor, Niké Eniko (Nike) St. Clair, obtained her Bachelor of Music degree and Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting, Music Theory, Music Education from the Liszt Ferenc Zenemûvészeti Egyetem (Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music) in Budapest, Hungary (1988-1993). She obtained her Master of Music degree in Choral Music and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Sothern California (USC) Thornton School of Music.
Being the choir director and bell choir director at the La Verne Church of the Brethren is only one of the many pursuits of Niké St. Clair. She also sings with the Los Angeles Master Chorale (since 2001-2002 season). She sings at the Saban Theatre for Jewish High Holidays; guest ensemble artist with Lark Society; guest soloist with Los Angeles Chamber Choir (Director: Chung Uk Lee) and in the wider Los Angeles area, and, when she gets the chance, session singer on film scores.
Guest appearances include: J.S. Bach's St. John Passion (BWV 245), Magnificat (BWV 243), B Minor Mass (BWV 232), St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244), George Frideric Handel's Messiah with Los Angeles Master Chorale; W.A. Mozart's Requiem, Vespers, and Mass in C Minor, J.S. Bach's B Minor Mass (BWV 232), Haydn's Paukenmesse with Los Angeles Chamber Choir; Felix Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream with LA Phil Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) with Concordia University; Bruckner's Te Deum with Santa Barbara Choral Society; Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 with Young Artists Symphony Orchestra.
Recording/TV/Film: Górecki Miserere; Nico Muhly's A Good Understanding with Los Angeles Master Chorale; Verdi Messa da Requiem with Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Master Chorale under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel; Movie soundtrack highlights include Avatar; X Men: Wolverine, Days of Future Past, Akkaba; Godzilla; Tranformers 4; Smurfs 2; Wreck-It Ralph; Big Hero 6; Minions; Pixels; Hail, Ceasar!; Storks, Despicable Me 3.
Highlights of her musical career: Working with Peter Sellars on Orlando di Lasso's Lagrime; Touring the world with the World Youth Choir; singing J.S. Bach's motets under the direction of Maestro Frieder Bernius; singing for Helmuth Rilling in Hungary and at USC; singing and touring with Los Angeles Master Chorale/Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra's staged productions of John Adams' El Niño and The Gospel According to the Other Mary.
Niké St. Clair and teaches and directs choirs at Azusa Pacific University, Cal Poly Pomona and Santa Monica College (since September 2004). During summers she teaches musicianship with the Hungarian Kodaly Methodology. She also conducts an adult choir at the La Verne Church of the Brethren
Niké St. Clair gives impeccable direction with a heart for what it means to be part of a volunteer choir. She enjoys life with her husband, Gabe and her dog, TJ. |
