Music services beyond the teaching studio.
Nicki Kerns brings the same depth of real-world professional experience to every engagement — whether she's coaching a vocalist, directing a musical, accompanying an audition, or performing at your event.
Before Nicki was a teacher, she was a working musician. She's performed with the Redwood Symphony, served as music director for community theater productions, played solo piano at hundreds of weddings and private events, accompanied singers at Max's Opera Cafe, and recorded countless sessions along the way. These services aren't sidelines — they're the experience she's built a career on.
Voice Coaching
Whether you're a complete beginner finding your voice or an experienced singer looking to refine your technique, Nicki offers individual vocal coaching sessions tailored to your goals.
Sessions can focus on breath control, tone development, diction, performance practice, or genre-specific technique — classical, musical theater, jazz, or pop. Nicki also plays piano to accompany your practice during sessions.
Who this is for
Singers who want structured vocal development
Students preparing for auditions or competitions
Actors and performers who sing as part of their role
Anyone who wants to explore their voice in a supportive environment
Accompanist & Collaborative Piano
A skilled accompanist is more than a background pianist — they're a musical partner. Nicki brings professional-level collaborative piano skills to recitals, auditions, competitions, studio recordings, and live performances.
With experience accompanying singers and instrumentalists across a wide range of repertoire — classical, musical theater, jazz, and contemporary — Nicki reads quickly, adapts to the soloist, and makes the performance better.
Who this is for
Singers preparing for college or conservatory auditions
Instrumentalists performing in recitals or competitions
Vocalists who need a professional accompanist for a recording
Community choral or ensemble groups needing a collaborative pianist
Music Direction for Musical Theater
Nicki has served as music director for community and regional musical theater productions, bringing the score to life from first rehearsal through opening night. She works closely with directors and choreographers to shape the musical vision of the production.
Music direction services can include: conducting the pit orchestra or band, vocal coaching the cast, preparing singers on their parts, creating vocal arrangements, and serving as keyboardist for the production run.
Who this is for
Community theater companies producing musicals
High school and college theater departments
Independent theater producers
Directors who need a dedicated musical collaborator
Custom Rehearsal Tracks
Need a track to practice to when your accompanist isn't available? Nicki records custom piano accompaniment tracks for singers and performers — professionally played, matched to your key and tempo, and delivered as audio files you can use anywhere.
Tracks can be recorded at full tempo, at a slower practice tempo, or both. Useful for learning a new piece, preparing for an audition, or drilling a role before rehearsals begin.
Who this is for
Singers learning new repertoire independently
Actors preparing a musical theater role
Students who need practice support between lessons
Performers who travel or live far from an accompanist
Solo Performer
Live piano transforms an event. Nicki has performed as a solo pianist at hundreds — if not thousands — of private parties, weddings, corporate events, and social occasions. She's equally comfortable with elegant cocktail-hour background music, interactive entertainment, or formal performance sets.
Her repertoire spans jazz standards, classical pieces, popular music, and everything in between. She reads the room and plays accordingly.
Who this is for
Weddings and rehearsal dinners
Private parties and corporate events
Restaurant and venue background music
Memorial services and celebrations of life
Any occasion where live music makes the difference
Music Transcription
Need a piece of music written down that only exists as a recording — or in someone's memory? Nicki transcribes music by ear, producing clean, readable notation for vocalists, instrumentalists, arrangers, and publishers.
Transcription services can include: lead sheets (melody + chords), full piano arrangements, vocal parts with piano accompaniment, or simplified arrangements for a specific instrument or skill level.
Who this is for
Musicians who want sheet music for a song that isn't published
Arrangers who need a starting point from a recording
Singers who need a chart in a specific key
Estates or publishers who need undocumented compositions notated
Not sure which service you need?
Reach out and describe what you're working on. Nicki will let you know how she can help.
831-334-1215 · pianonicki88@gmail.com