About
A native of Waxhaw, NC, Nicholas Pierle is a conductor, tenor, and educator, with experience working with choirs and companies both within the United States and abroad. In conjunction with being an active professional, Pierle is currently pursuing the DMA in Choral Music from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While pursuing the DMA, Pierle is the Director of Music Ministries at Grace Lutheran Church in Champaign, IL. Prior to moving to Champaign, he worked as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Queens University of Charlotte where he taught courses in undergraduate conducting and assisted in the direction of the university’s choirs, including the internationally award-winning Royal Voices of Charlotte. He also taught middle school choir and general music courses with the Fort Mill School District in South Carolina.
As a conductor, Pierle has worked with singers of all ages and experience levels. Most recently, Pierle has been seen conducting performances of Margaret Bond’s Credo and Bach’s B Minor Mass with The Eastman School of Music, Buxtehude’s Memebra Jesu Nostri at The University of Illinois, Britten’s Rejoice in The Lamb with the ELCA Choirs of Champaign-Urbana, and Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Queens University of Charlotte Chamber Singers. Additionally, he prepared and conducted the University of Illinois Men’s Glee Club for their performance at the Illinois ACDA State Convention in October 2023. He has also had the privilege of working alongside and preparing choirs for notable conductors including André Thomas, Ann Howard Jones, Hilary Apfelstadt, and Kathy Romey while attending The University of Illinois.
Pierle’s passion for the musical arts extends to the classroom. He has taught students of all ages, Kindergarten to twelfth grade. His students have performed at Belk Theatre (Charlotte, NC), Universal Studios (Orlando, FL) and Biltmore Estates (Asheville, NC). He has also directed productions of The Wiz, Annie, and Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. His students have participated in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competitions and have been accepted to notable music programs and universities around the country to continue their vocal studies.
With a commitment to professional development and experiential learning endeavors, Pierle continues to seek educational and performance opportunities. He has participated in conducting masterclasses with William Weinert, Malcolm Merriweather, Simon Carrington, Gregory Buchalter, and Larry Rachleff and participated in music-performance festivals including Miami Music Festival, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and Varna International Music Academy. Recently, he performed with and conducted the Royal Voices of Charlotte at the Preveza International Choral Festival (2024) and Kathaumixw International Choir Competition (2023).
As an accomplished singer, Pierle has performed in venues throughout the United States and Europe including Carnegie Hall, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Italy, various locations in southern United Kingdom, and other venues throughout Prague, Czech Republic. Pierle has participated in state and regional NATS competitions and qualified for their national competitions. Most recently, Pierle has recently performed the roles Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore, Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music, and The Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe. Pierle has performed as the featured tenor soloist in recent performances of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Michael Haydn’s Requiem in C, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Joseph Haydn’s Harmoniemesse, and Handel’s Messiah.
Pierle is expecting to complete all requirements of the DMA in Choral Music from University of Illinois in May 2026 where he studies with Dr. Andrea Solya, Dr. Scott MacLeod, and Mr. Jerold Siena. He earned the Masters of Music in Choral Conducting, Vocal Performance, and Vocal Pedagogy from East Carolina University where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. James Franklin and Dr. Jami Rhodes. Additionally, he holds the Bachelor of Arts in Music: Vocal Performance from High Point University where he studied with Dr. Marc Foster and Dr. Scott MacLeod.