Biography
WILLIAM HICKS is a renowned voice coach, pianist, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the music industry. As a voice coach, Hicks has worked with some of the leading singers of all time, including Luciano Pavarotti, Licia Albanese, Franco Corelli, Anna Moffo, Roberta Peters, Renata Scotto, Teresa Stratas, Renee Fleming, Deborah Voigt, Regina Resnik, Marta Eggerth Kiepura, Thomas Hampson, and Harolyn Blackwell. He is known for his ability to help singers find their unique voice and develop it into a powerful instrument, and he has a wealth of experience working with singers from various genres, including classical, musical theater, and contemporary music.
Hicks has also had a successful career as a pianist, accompanying countless singers and performing in numerous concerts and recitals. He is highly regarded for his musicality, technical proficiency, and ability to collaborate with singers in a supportive and creative manner. His expertise as a pianist has helped many singers bring their performances to life, and he is highly sought after as an accompanist for voice recitals and auditions.
In addition to his work as a voice coach and pianist, Hicks has had a distinguished career as a conductor. He collaborated as a repetiteur and pianist for Luciano Pavarotti from 1990 to 1995, and he joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1995 as Assistant Conductor, Solo Pianist, and Assistant Chorus Master, positions he held until 2001. He has also served as Associate Conductor for The Santa Fe Opera, The Canadian Opera Company, The Cincinnati Opera, The New York City Opera, and for Maestros Michael Tilson Thomas, Lorin Maazel, and John McGlinn. From 1982 to 2002, he served as Associate Conductor, Pianist, and Chorus Master to Maestro McGlinn, preparing and performing in all his recordings and broadcasts and appearing as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Hicks has also made significant contributions to the music education community, teaching at several universities and music schools and giving master classes and private instruction in musical preparation and presentation to young singers, pianists, and voice coaches throughout the world. He has worked for The Israel Vocal Arts Institute for their programs in Tel Aviv, Portland, Oregon, and Montreal. He has recorded for New World Records, BMG, Sony, and Patria Records, and he is currently pianist and consultant for the Victor Herbert Renaissance Live Project.
In addition to his musical and pedagogical activities, William is the founder and Chairperson of Action for Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and financially assisting performing artists at the beginning of their careers.
