Travels and Adventures with ACMP Pianist Nicholas King

ACMP member pianist Nicholas King (second from left) with his new chamber music friends in Tokyo

One of the greatest uses of the ACMP Directory is making new friends on your travels, who share your passion for chamber music!

If you are planning a trip somewhere, it’s also a good idea to check if ACMP has a member of its International Ambassadors Council (IAC) or North American Outreach Council (NAOC) in or near your destination.

New York City pianist Nicholas King just made a trip to Tokyo, Japan – connecting with local players through the ACMP Directory and with the help of Sayoko Yamashita, who represents ACMP in Japan on its International Ambassadors Council. (If you live in or around New York City or are planning a visit, make sure that you get in touch with Nicholas, who also just happens to be ACMP’s New York City representative on the NAOC!)

I got in touch with Nick after his return from Japan and asked him some questions about himself and his recent adventure.

Interview with Nicholas King

ACMP: How did you get involved in chamber music and why did you become an ACMP member?

Nick: I’ve been playing piano since the age of three and attended various conservatories throughout North America. I was introduced to ACMP by Richard Weinert, pianist and current chairman.

ACMP: What kinds of chamber music experiences and relationships are you seeking?

Nick: I’m looking to play any and all types of chamber music! I love duos, trios, quartets, quintets, 4-hand music… you get the idea.

ACMP: What are some highlights of your life outside of music?

Nick: Outside of music I bake quite a bit – cakes mostly. I’m also on the hunt for quiet cafés to read my books.

ACMP: What are your favorite pieces of chamber music to play?

Nick: Oooh this is tough. I’m partial to the Dvorak piano quintet – it has an amazingly fun piano part. If I drink enough wine I’m usually brave enough to try the Tchaikovsky Trio.

ACMP: Could you please share any particularly memorable experiences you had playing chamber music?

Nick: I was once attempting to play through the Brahms violin sonata No. 3 – the piano part is tough, so halfway through a pianist friend jumped in and took over. He also had a hard time, so a third pianist jumped in and was able to finish the piece. Kudos to the violinist for not getting lost!

ACMP: Have you used the ACMP directory to meet musicians near where you live?

Nick: I used the directory to meet musicians near where my parents live – in San Diego, California. It was so much fun! I’m always amazed by the hospitality and kindness that ACMP members provide.

ACMP: Have you ever used the ACMP directory to meet musicians while traveling in other countries?

Nick: I used the directory to meet people while traveling to Tokyo. It was such a great way to connect with other musicians. I made some amazing friends and have already planned my next trip back!

ACMP: Can you tell us anything about your recent trip to Tokyo?

Nick: This was my first trip to Tokyo, and I managed to meet with a handful of ACMP members to read through chamber music. I was surprised and touched by the hospitality provided by my fellow musicians – I made some great friends and enjoyed six evenings of music, food, and drinks. Visiting a new country can be daunting – especially when you don’t speak the language. I can’t imagine what my experience would’ve been like were it not for the ACMP community, I am so grateful to have met such wonderful people. I’m already planning my next trip to Tokyo!

Dinner in Tokyo after the Play-In at Sayoko Yamashita’s place. Sayoko is on the left side, in the green sweater. Nick is on the right side in the back.

Connect with Nick on your next visit to New York City – maybe you can play some music with him.

(He might even make a cake!)

Meanwhile, Nick is also the Founder and Director of After Arts, a community of over 500 professionals in business, law, finance, healthcare, and tech who share a passion for playing and listening to music. They regularly hold events with prominent artists and leaders including Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Clive Gillison, and others. They believe that having an artistic background can benefit an individual regardless of their professional trajectory. Their bi-monthly events aim to help our members grow both personally and professionally through mentorship and networking opportunities. They also host a yearly showcase in Carnegie Hall. You can email nick@theafterartsgroup with any questions.

More Articles

Two CMA Events this Week to Celebrate National Chamber Month in NYC: May 17 and 18

National Chamber Music Month is an annual celebration and awareness campaign that brings attention to the creativity, resilience, and stylistic breadth of ensemble music performed today. This year, CMA is celebrating National Chamber Music Month with two events at National Sawdust in Brooklyn.

Read More ↗

New Video: The April 15 Kronos Quartet Master Class

ACMP's second online master class with the Kronos Quartet on its 50 for the Future repertoire was a huge success! Congratulations to all three quartets who played so beautifully, and you can now watch the entire class on ACMP's YouTube channel.

Read More ↗

Breakfast with Joshua Bell on May 9 in NYC: 15 Free Tickets for ACMP Members

New opportunity for ACMP members in or near New York City: After Arts has offered 15 free tickets to a breakfast talk with violinist Joshua Bell for members of ACMP.

Read More ↗

2023 Worldwide Play-In Weekend: May 19-21

The ACMP Worldwide Play-In Weekend is less than a month away: Friday, May 19 through Sunday, May 21. There are seven ACMP-supported Play-Ins that weekend so far, and keep checking this article and the Events and Workshops Directory for more!

Read More ↗

Puccini and Piazzolla in the Pizzeria

Illinois-area ACMP member Tom Cappaert recently received a "Just Play" grant from ACMP for an informal concert at a pizzeria in Quito, Ecuador in March.

Read More ↗

Kronos Quartet Master Class Live-Stream and Repertoire

Watch the live-stream of ACMP's second online master class with the Kronos Quartet on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 2pm to 5pm Eastern on YouTube, and discover new and exciting repertoire by West African composers Angélique Kidjo and Fodé Lassana Diabaté, and Chinese composer Wu Man.

Read More ↗

How to Hold a Play-In

Watch the video of ACMP's online workshop "How to Hold a Play-In" with panelists Peter Aupperle, Susan Alexander, Michael Knoch, Virginia Feldman, Phyllis Kaiden and Bob Myers. Get some expert tips on holding a Play-In and organize one yourself for ACMP's 2023 Worldwide Play-In Weekend, May 19 - 21.

Read More ↗

Creating a Culture of Listening: Exploring Conscious Listening Workshops with Steinway Artist Hsing-ay Hsu

Join pianist and ACMP Holiday Caption Contest winner Hsing-ay Hsu for her unique online "Conscious Listening Café", and read about her approach to deepening your listening experience.

Read More ↗

Kronos Quartet Second Master Class: Saturday, April 15

Join ACMP and the Kronos Quartet on Saturday, April 15 at 2pm Eastern for our second online master class on newly commissioned works from the Kronos "50 for the Future" library.

Read More ↗

List your Summer or Fall Workshop in the CMA Directory of Festivals, Schools and Workshops

Once again, members of the ACMP community (individuals, coaches, event managers and organizations) are invited to submit listings for inclusion in Chamber Music America's printed Directory of Festivals, Schools, and Workshops.

Read More ↗

ACMP at the CMA National Conference

ACMP was delighted to present a session at Chamber Music America’s 45th National Conference at the Westin New York at Times Square (New York City) on January 7, 2023. Moderated by ACMP Grants Committee Chair Susan Alexander, the panel included two amateur chamber musicians with widely different experiences: Paris Brann Milane of the Bronx and Karl Irikura from the Washington DC metropolitan area; and one professional musician who had dedicated his career to working with amateur musicians, Lenny Matczynski, a life-long coach and former Executive Director of The Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music in New Hampshire. Watch the video!

Read More ↗

GO FOR BAROQUE……an early music workshop in NYC

This March, longtime friends and colleagues Dale Stuckenbruck and Lisa Terry offer a workshop in Manhattan for experienced amateur string players, recorder players and viol players, where all will get a chance to explore Baroque music focusing on Baroque style, meter and emphasis. Inspired by their friend, violinist Janet Hoffman, Dale and Lisa have done a number of workshops and presentations in recent years and are excited to be working together again.

Read More ↗

How to hold a Play-In: January 28, 2023, 2pm ET on Zoom

Join ACMP for a free online workshop on How to Hold a Play-In! Just in time to prepare for the 2023 Worldwide Play-In Weekend: May 19-21, 2023.

Read More ↗

Announcing the 2022 Holiday Caption Contest Winners!

The winners of ACMP's 2022 Holiday Caption Contest are Hsing-ay Hsu, Victoria Bryan and Christopher Minarich. Check out their fun captions and read about our winners!

Read More ↗

 Chamber Music for Novice level players by Jill Schultz

Violinist and educator Jill Schultz shares tips on how to find satisfying chamber music repertoire for novice-level players.

Read More ↗

Just Play Concert: ACMP Members in California perform Beethoven and Gabriela Lena Frank

California ACMP members Sue Soong, Kevin Jim, Angus Davol and Julie Park perform an ambitious program of Beethoven and Gabriela Lena Frank at their concert in Albany, California, supported in part by ACMP.

Read More ↗

Watch the Kronos Quartet Master Class on YouTube

ACMP's first online master class with the Kronos Quartet on Saturday, November 12, 2022 was a success! Congratulations to the three groups from Idaho State University, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and SUNY New Paltz who performed so beautifully. Watch the November class and sign up now to play on April 15.

Read More ↗

Featured ACMP Member Michael Knoch

Meet flutist Michael Knoch, ACMP's IAC Ambassador in Berlin, Germa

Read More ↗

Kronos Quartet Master Class Repertoire Reveal:

Three string quartets from Pocatello, Idaho; San Francisco, California; and New Paltz, New York will play works by Missy Mazzoli, Ken Benshoof and Charlton Singleton for members of the Kronos Quartet on Saturday, November 12 at 2pm Eastern on Zoom and YouTube.

Read More ↗

Featured ACMP Member: Virginia Feldman

Celeste Chau interviews Virginia Feldman, ACMP's Portland, Oregon representative on its North American Outreach Council.

Read More ↗

 

All Articles By