Richard Nickerson

Richard Nickerson is a choral director, educator, and conductor whose career has been defined by decades of artistic leadership, musical excellence, and deep community impact. Following nearly four decades as Director of Choral Activities at Windham High School in Windham, Maine, he recently retired from the position after building a nationally respected choral program. He now serves as Artistic Director of the Maine Music Society, an adult chorus based in Lewiston, Maine.

A sought-after guest conductor and adjudicator, Dr. Nickerson has led All-State, honor, and festival choirs throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He served as conductor of the Magic of Christmas Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2014 and was Artistic Director of the Boy Singers of Maine from 2001 to 2009. His ensembles have performed for three U.S. Presidents, and he made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 1998, returning in 2016 to conduct the Maine Festival Chorus. He will return to Carnegie Hall again in May, 2027 to conduct Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass.

Dr. Nickerson's contributions to the choral arts have earned him widespread recognition, including Maine Music Educator of the Year, Maine Distinguished Choral Director of the Year, runner-up for Maine Teacher of the Year. He was a Top 10 finalist for the Music Educator GRAMMY Award. In 2025, received the Russell-Cox Award for Distinguished Service to the Choral Art from the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Most recently, he was inducted into the Maine Music Educators Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifetime of service to music education. A dedicated leader within the profession, Dr. Nickerson has held numerous leadership positions, including two terms as President of the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

He holds degrees in music education and choral conducting from the University of Maine and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. This past May, he added "author" to his list of accomplishments with the publication of his memoir, Have Fun and Try Not to Mess Up, a reflection on a lifetime of teaching, conducting, leadership, and the lessons learned along the way.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Nickerson is known for the roles that define his life off the podium. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Linda, and a proud father and grandfather. He is also a brother, uncle, cousin, son, and friend—relationships that reflect the same sense of connection and community that characterizes his musical work. Through both his personal life and his career, he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to bringing people together through music, mentorship, and shared human experience.