Abby Nichols
Owner
Abby Nichols (she/her/hers) grew up in Madison, WI. After spending 8 years in New York City, she happily returned to her hometown in 2011 to raise her family and work as an actor, singer, and teacher. She 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, Nichols Voice Studio. Students from NVS have pursued musical theatre, music education, and acting at academic, community, and professional levels.
Abby has also taught masterclasses and clinics for Children's Theater of Madison (CTM), Monroe Street Arts Center, and East High School and has worked as a vocal coach for main stage productions at UW Madison and CTM. She has studied voice with Estill-trained teachers, Tom Burke and Jennifer Derosa, and she has attended Estill Level 1 and 2 courses.
Abby lives on Madison’s west side with her sons Arthur and Jasper, their cat Pepper, and their leopard gecko Wide Load.
Meet the Team
Joy Bauman
Studio Accompanist
Joy Bauman (she/her/hers) 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 in 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 Pastoral Care at Queen of Apostles Parish.
Rachel Warrick
Classical Consultant
Rachel Warrick (she/her/hers) 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.