Nichols Studios
Inclusive voice and acting training for all ages and abilities.
Abby Nichols
Owner
she/her/hers
Madison native Abby Nichols returned home in 2011 after performing in New York City for eight years. Abby has many years of teaching experience, coaching voice and acting for aspiring/singers of all ages. She offers private instruction via her thriving home studio, and also teaches Music Together--an early childhood music program (learn more at the Monroe Street Arts Center.) Students from Abby's studio have gone on to pursue musical theatre, music education, and acting at academic, community, and professional levels.
After receiving her BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University, Abby appeared in numerous productions, including national tours of Annie (Grace Farrell) and Junie B. Jones (May/Mom). Abby performs professionally with various local companies including Capital City Theatre, Children’s Theater of Madison, and Four Seasons Theatre. She has also been a soloist with the UW-Madison Varsity Band, the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, and at various cabaret venues.
Abby lives on Madison’s west side with her sons Arthur and Jasper.
Joy Bauman
Studio Accompanist
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Joy Bauman has been with the Nichols Studio since its first recital in 2014. She enjoys playing for the students, especially watching them grow in their talent and confidence from recital to recital. And she also gets to learn some new music herself along the way! Joy has been involved accompanying local theater productions since 1995 and has played for several local high school musicals as well. Some of her favorite productions include Ragtime, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Les Misérables. She is the Director of Music at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton.
Parnassus Funk
Intern
Website Designer
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Parnassus has been a student of Abby's since 2014 and became her intern in 2020. She recently graduated from Madison West High School, and is currently attending the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre. She's loved theatre and singing since middle school, and has spent her teen years performing and working with local theatre companies around the city. Nichols Studios has been with her every step of the way, and it feels like a second family to her.
Rachel Warrick
Classical Consultant
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Rachel Warrick is a Madison-area voice teacher and singer who teaches classical, musical theatre and pop styles. She specializes in classical instruction, and has been a member of the Wisconsin National Association of Teachers of Singing for 15 years. She has served on the board of Wisconsin NATS for 6 years, including a term as Vice President. Her students have had much success at the WSMA State Solo and Ensemble festival as well as NATS competitions, with students receiving Exemplary Awards (WSMA), and winning at the state, regional, and national NATS competitions. Her students have gone on to study classical voice at Eastman School of Music, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Stevens Point. Rachel loves to find every student’s unique voice and help them grow to their full potential.
