Music is integral to the spiritual and cultural life of Orinda Community Church.
MUSIC DIRECTOR, NIK NACKLEY
Music director, Nikolas Nackley, has served on the faculty of San Francisco State University since 2014 and UC Berkeley since 2016 as director of vocal studies. He has directed large and small ensembles at both universities, conducting the UC Berkeley University Chorus and the SFSU Chamber singers, as well as serving as stage and musical director for the SFSU Opera Workshop. He has been the baritone soloist and substitute music director at Orinda Community Church since 2011 and has served as music director since 2024.
In demand for his work as a vocal soloist on both the concert and operatic stage in California, the East Coast, and abroad, Mr. Nackley has been heralded by the San Francisco Chronicle as “sonorous and heroic” and praised by the Boston Globe for his ability to “continually impress with his beautiful voice and acting.” 2025 marks his debut with the San Francisco Opera and he will perform the roles of Custom House Officer in "La Bohème", and Solo Inmate in "Dead Man Walking".
Featured in the title role of West Edge Opera’s critically acclaimed “Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria”, Nikolas returned to West Edge in 2019 to sing the role of Captain Bouchardon in the West Coast premiere Matt Mark’s opera, “Mata Hari”. Credits include the role of Joe Pitt in the West Coast premiere of Peter Eötvös’s opera, “Angels in America”, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Adonis in Blow’s “Venus and Adonis” with Marin Baroque, Bach’s “St John Passion” and Mozart “Requiem” with the SF Bach Choir, Santa Clara Chorale, and Bay Choral Guild, Figaro in Paisiello’s “Barber of Seville” with WEO’s Opera Medium Rare, the West Coast premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s “The Tempest Songbook” with the Eco Ensemble and Cal Performances, numerous appearances with the Cantata Collective, and a series of recitals in New Castle, England. This spring he made his debut with the Arizona Music Fest performing the bass solos in Mozart's "Requiem".
He has worked as a featured soloist under such conductors as Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Roger Norrington, Joana Carneiro, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bruno Weil, Craig Smith, Harry Christophers, John Harbison, and Pablo Heras Casado.
Other recent engagements include the world premiere of Stacy Garrop’s “Terra Nostra” with the SF Choral Society as well as Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”, Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” with the Bay Choral Guild, the role of Pallante in Handel’s “Agrippina” and the Badger/Parson in Janacek’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” with West Edge Opera, the West Coast premiere of Jocelyn Hagen’s “Ashes of Roses” with the Santa Clara Chorale and Symphony Silicon Valley, Brahms and Mozart Requiems with Sonoma Bach and the SF Bach Choir, the Duruflé “Requiem” with the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, as well as recording the Duruflé "Requiem" with the St. Lawrence and Omer quartets, available on Apple Music.
Mr. Nackley received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the esteemed New Conservatory of Music in Boston. Highly sought after as master vocal teacher, choral conductor and clinician, and stage director, Nikolas is a regular finals guest adjudicator for the National Association for Teachers of Singing competitions and Schmidt Vocal Arts college and high school competitions.
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Choir rehearsals are held at 8:40 Sunday mornings in the Music Room. Our choir is made up of many ages and skill levels, and is open to all who like to sing. No experience necessary.
The sanctuary houses a good-sized 1959 Swain & Kates pipe organ and a Steinway Concert Grand piano.