Jordan Parker
When Nicholas Higgs discusses his work and rise in the music industry in Toronto, he still sometimes sounds in disbelief.
He lives in Toronto – a New Glasgow, N.S. transplant – and his interview with Nova Scotia Buzz is rife with musings about how lucky he is to be where he is pursuing his dream.
To the outside eye, though, it’s easy to see why Higgs is so sought after – He’s a talented baritone with a Masters in Music from the University of Toronto and he’s part of the esteemed Tafelmusik Chamber Choir. Not to mention, he’s a teacher and his following on YouTube and TikTok has risen to over 250,000 strong.
VIDEO: The Amadeus Cafe – @NickHiggsTheSinger
@nickhiggsthesinger #stitch with @Lindsay Borow ♬ original sound – Nick Higgs
“In many senses, this was not easy. But it was incredible. The pandemic hit in the middle of my Masters, and I was left wondering how to do a degree in performance in a time when we couldn’t leave our homes. And yet, you piece things together as you can. I began doing teaching and gig work to survive, and that lifestyle led me to content creation,” said Higgs.
“It’s incredible to see my degree and training translating, and it’s because in 2020 I had to do something. I discovered digital media, and began doing at-home recordings and video editing. I’d share my singing with different genres and styles. Whether it was folk music because I was homesick, classical or my dovetail into choral and musical theatre, I felt compelled to record and share.”
He began with no expectations, but soon realized people were responding to his content. His ‘Joy to the World’ saw 467,000 views, and a hilarious video he made about being a Catholic contestant on Wheel Of Fortune nabbed 1.5-million views.
“I have my hits for sure, but I also have my flops,” he says in a humble manner. “But when I started, it just felt like a good way to share this with the world.”
VIDEO: Hallelujah – @NickHiggsTheSinger
@nickhiggsthesinger Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
♬ original sound – Nick Higgs
While his online presence is relatively new, being on-stage and performing has been in Nicholas’s genes his entirely life. His four older siblings and parents were in music his whole life.
“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved in music in some way. It started as just wanting to do what my family did, and fortunately we were at an age where we all sang together. We were a mini-choir, which influenced so much of the choral music content I do now,” he said.
Singing lessons for Higgs meant travelling the hour to-and-from Halifax weekly to see his voice teacher Wayne Rogers, who now works at St. Matthew’s United Church.
“When I was young, it was just something I did and enjoyed. Once I turned 14-or-15, I began to see the impact I could have on an audience. I was able to make myself and others feel good, and the paid work began,” he said.
VIDEO: Can You Feel The Love Tonight – @NickHiggsTheSinger
@nickhiggsthesinger Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John Pitch Memory Test “Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a song from Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King composed by English musician Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. Released as a single in May 1994, the song was a hit in the UK, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, and achieved success in the United States, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a number-one hit in Canada and France. At the 67th Academy Awards in March 1995, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The same year, the song also won John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Completing a trifecta, the song also won a Golden Globe at the 52nd Golden Globe Awards held in 1995 for Best Song – Motion Picture.
♬ original sound – Nick Higgs
“Around that time I met Lorna MacDonald from Cape Breton, who was visiting from Toronto. I would continue to work with her when I went there for university.”
He moved in 2015 to go to the University of Toronto and study under Lorna and found the Nova Scotian connections continued in the big city.
“I left, but the East Coast was always around me. I was worried I’d move and not know anyone, as New Glasgow to Toronto was a big leap. But there are so many East Coasters in the music scene here,” he said.
His current choir director at the university lived in New Glasgow for a time, and their father was the minister at the church Higgs’ mother went to.
“I have a good friend Alex Halliday who went to high school with me. We were in the same opera program in Toronto. There are so many connections, and in the Tafelmusik choir three of the bass singers are from the East Coast.”
VIDEO: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – @NickHiggsTheSinger
@nickhiggsthesinger Sing With Me: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing #singwithme #duet ♬ original sound – Nick Higgs
As he continues to be surrounded by Nova Scotian influence, Higgs’s reach has pushed worldwide.
“My first video that hit 5-million had nothing to do with singing. I was really into video editing, so I shared something and it connected with a large number of people. Once I began performing on there, I saw people began responding,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see that reaction. Seeing videos gain traction and seeing folks keep coming back has been amazing. I began getting the same feeling I do when I perform live, and feeling that connection was something I didn’t expect. It inspired me to keep creating, and there’s no limit on who can see the content.”
He has a studio where he teaches music lessons and singing lessons online weekly for students from from over 15 countries, and it’s all due to his social media presence.
VIDEO: Gloria In Excel Sheets – @NickHiggsTheSinger
@nickhiggsthesinger Gloria in excel sheets deo
♬ original sound – Nick Higgs
He credits those from home who continue to support and push him to bigger and better things.
“One of the biggest factors to my success has been the support from home and the fact so many people — like Lorna — are out here with me and know what the transition was like. This music community is small but supportive. To have those Nova Scotia connections is amazing, and people from that province have been major factors in my life,” he said.
“It isn’t always easy to move far away, but I have so many people behind me. People are support my content and watching my weekly videos. I hope to keep consistent and keep things growing. That’s my focus right now.”
