We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Robert McNichols Jr . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Robert below.
Robert, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
The first time I realized I wanted to pursue being an artist was when I was in high school. I was winning awards performing as a cellist and also as a vocalist. At the time I was enrolled in a high school vocal training program, and the leaders of the program told me that this was something that I could do. Until that point I had just pursued as a hobby, but after receiving their encouragement and realizing how good I was because of the awards, I decided that this was something I wanted to do with my life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Robert McNichols Jr and I am a classical concert Performing Artist originally from St Louis, MO. My primary area of performance is as a classically trained baritone who can sing in multiple languages. I specialize in operatic repertoire, musical theater. I’m also a versatile cellist playing classical and also R&B, jazz and gospel music. Throughout my career I have had the privilege of working to serve the community by fulfilling the roles of various artistic at demonstration positions with companies throughout the Midwest.. in my artistic administration roles I have worked to provide Opera and musical theater education to children of all ages in the community I served, and also worked to create accessible performances to help broaden the audiences for the companies with whom I worked. I am currently the visiting professor of music at Morehouse College in Atlanta where I teach various music courses and maintain a private vocal Studio of five students.
I am most proud of a touring production of a one-man musical play I co-produced last year that toured England. The play was Paul Robeson by Philip Hayes Dean. For the production along with playing the title character I was the musical director and pianist for the production, along with other responsibilities around co-roduction. It was so well received that it was awarded the ‘Best in Fringe’ by the Bedford Fringe Festival.
The main thing I would like potential clients to know is that I am a very talented and experienced vocalist and instrumental musician, as well as an actor who can provide thrilling experiences in a plethora of genres from Opera to Gospel music. I am also a leader in the field of the performing arts capable of working on the executive level to present artistic endeavors.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal driving my creative journey is life itself. I lost someone very important to me 2 years ago. In the wake of their passing I did not believe that I would continue to participate in the Performing Arts because I had not reached the level I felt capable of reaching. After about 6 months I was asked to sing in the musical The Color Purple. And though I was still grieving severely, performing did something for my soul that manifested a catharsis I had not been aware of experiencing previously. There is a experience the artist and the audience both take part in during live performance. When the artist can pair their gift and talent with sincere communication of trauma and story it provides an atmosphere that is like no other. And adding music to that scenario heightens and intensifies the experience even more. The awareness of this compels me to continue to pursue it, and endeavor to draw more audience members to it. Because I know that it will not only gratify me but could possibly also do the same for them.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspects of being an artist to me is actually the process of creating the art. What is presented to the audience is actually, in my mind, a celebration of all the creative work doing the process that has been done. It can be a very monotonous and arduous task, but I really enjoy it nonetheless. There is an expression I learned long ago as a young cellist that my mentor, Kem Williams, introduced to myself and many of my classmates at the time. We lost Mr Williams 24 years ago, but many of the words he said to me another still speak to me today. He introduced to us at a rehearsal one day the concept of wood shedding. He talked about how that the Craftsman that worked with wood would scrape away small pieces one stroke at a time in order to create whatever the woodwork he desired. In that same way, we have to work on the small details of our artistic expression one stroke at a time until we finally arrive at our desired creation. For our string ensemble, that could have meant perfect intonation with fluid both movement and musical expression. For the vocalists it could mean proficient breath support, resonant placement and dramatic interpretation. No matter the result, the process of daily working towards that aim energizes me everyday to press towards that mark of the prize.
Contact Info:
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