Biography
As a chamber musician, Nick is a founding member of Latitude 39, a dynamic and innovative trio with violinist Diana Seitz and pianist Maya Tuylieva that fuses their diverse cultural backgrounds and influences through musical programming.
He released his debut album in 2019 under Albany Records - Tone Studies: the Saxophone Music of David Maslanka; is also featured on The Chamber Music of David von Kampen and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Jazz Orchestra’s album, The Good Life. Additionally, he is the founder of the I Exist Project, which aims to advocate for and celebrate the multifaceted aspects of queer life, culture, and artistry through the collaboration, creation, and visibility of queer repertoire.
May has given masterclasses, guest performances, and been an artist in residency at many of the nation’s elite conservatories and universities including the Peabody Conservatory, the Manhattan School of Music, University of California-Davis, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Denison University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Arizona, among others, while teaching at the Music Academy of Kansas City. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska -Lincoln (B.M.) and the University of Kansas (M.M.).
Nick May is an endorsing artist for Key Leaves and Légère Reeds.
Saxophonist Nick May is sought after as “a highly expressive, virtuosic, and fresh performer” (David Del Tredici, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-winning composer) that “brings his personality to every performance - full of genuine joie de vivre!” (Javier Oviedo, Classical Saxophone Project). Since his solo debut at the age of eighteen with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, May’s career has taken him throughout the United States, Singapore, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, appearing recurrently as a guest artist and recitalist. Additionally, May has garnered prizes at many prestigious national and international competitions with recent Carnegie Hall performances.
He has performed as a soloist and been featured with numerous ensembles including the University of Iowa Center for New Music Ensemble, Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra, Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Tallgrass Chamber Choir, Classical Saxophone Project, Mid-America Freedom Band, Baker University Jazz Combo and Big Band, Kansas Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Orchestra, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Wind Ensemble.
May has premiered works and collaborated with today's most eminent and emerging composers including Kevin Day, Jennifer Higdon, Kenneth Fuchs, Tyler Harrison, Peter Dayton, Ingrid Stölzel, Spencer Arias, Nathan Froebe, Zachery S. Meier, Kurt Knecht, Christina Ensign, David von Kampen, Suhan Tuyliyev, Iván Enrique Rodríguez, Peter Dayton, Xenia St. Charles Iris Llyllyth, Aaryn S. Ricucci-Hill, Trey Makler, Zoë Wallace among others while advocating for contemporary music.
"A highly expressive, virtuosic, and fresh performer”
David Del Tredici, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-winning Composer
"Nick May gave a stunning performance of two epic solo saxophone works, full of energy and intimacy."
New Music Chicago
"Stunned and fascinated."
American Record Guide
“Nick May is an incredibly profound, insightful, and virtuosic musician. I have worked with him and witnessed his performance as a soloist with orchestra, and a chamber musician. The entire orchestra and audience was deeply inspired and entertained by Nick’s master craftsmanship and ability to bring the spirit of the music to life. As a conductor, one could not ask for much more from a soloist than Nick provides: clarity of intention and inspired interpretive acumen, oh and relating to the orchestra and the music with a friendliness and free spirited-ness that allows for the most successful and elevated performance possible.”
Maestro Devin Hughes, Music Director and Conductor, Arapahoe Philharmonic
“Nick May is one of those rare artists that seamlessly combines expressive content with technical virtuosity. When you listen to him play, you are just thinking about how beautiful the music is. Afterward, you realize that what he was doing was technically dazzling, but he delivers all that skill without ever drawing attention to the mechanics. For me, it is the ideal kind of playing, and it's why I've been a fan for many years.”
Kurt Knecht, Composer and Keyboardist
"Nick May displays superb collaborative artistry. His playing effuses effervescence, and it was a deep honor to hear him bring my original works to invigorated life.”