Nick was born to a non-musical family and it was only at the age of 12 when he began to play the piano his parents bought on sale at a rundown shop. Music that did not come from the radio began to fill the air at home, but it was hardly encouraged since it was costly to pursue. So he studied on his own.

His affinity for the piano became increasingly evident when, in 1997, while in law school, he finally enrolled as a special student of piano performance for the Artist’s Course at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) College of Music under the tutelage of Prof. Estelita Sia Gojunco-Salonga. Later, he took master classes under the internationally acclaimed and most awarded Filipino concert pianist Prof. Reynaldo Reyes of Towson University, Maryland, the eminent piano pedagogue Prof. Perla Suaco, the distinguished concert piano mentor Prof. Avelina Manalo, the concert pianist/accompanist and Dean of the PWU College of Music Prof. Harold Galang, and the celebrated arranger/accompanist Prof. Augusto Espino.

Apart from his musical pursuit, Nick also graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) with degrees first, in Business Administration and Accountancy, cum laude, and second, in Law. He ranked second in the CPA board exams, worked as tax consultant and auditor, and later passed the bar exams.

As a concert pianist, he was commissioned to play for National Artist for Music Dr. Lucrecia R. Kasilag, the UP Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, the Miriam College, the ReachOut Foundation International, and various cultural and study centers. He was also an accompanist of NAMCYA solo voice winner Anatoly Arcilla and other voice students of Profs. Mercedes Dugan and Gloria Espejo of PWU, of Jan Christian Gutierrez, violin student of another internationally acclaimed performer, Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, of child prodigy Junior Saraza, also a violin student of renowned conductor Jose Arturo “Toti” Molina, of popular violinist John Lesaca, of Broadway artist Isay Alvarez, and of pop singers Jo Ramos and Arlo Antonio of the Library.

In 2000, Nick had his very successful solo debut in Puerto Princesa City sponsored by the PWU and the provincial government of Palawan. After other successive solo concerts, he then performed W.A.Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K.488 with the Manila Symphony Orchestra II (MSO II) in “Tunog ng Pasasalamat” using the coveted grand Borsendorfer at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2003, as a tribute for hurdling one of the toughest bar exams in history. This was followed by two more concerts that year, along with the MSO II and other Filipino classical and pop artists Marvin Ong and Ivy Violan, at the Manila Cathedral and viewed via nationwide delayed telecast on two TV networks.

In April 2006, he had his international solo debut in Paris, France using a grand Steinway at the Eglise Americaine, sponsored by the American Church in Paris in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy.  His concert was followed by another in Italy, Thailand, and Vietnam. Because of the astounding successes of his international concerts filled to more than capacity and largely attended by the foreign community, he is now invited to hold solo concerts in other countries and at other events for laudable objectives and for the awareness of environmental laws or the promotion of legal rights, particularly those of women and children.

Nick’s professional career as a pianist has certainly kicked off and there is no sign of slowing him down. His audience and admirers continue to grow locally and overseas. Piano concerts and appearances in different major events has continually been a part of his life. Performances inside and outside the country, particularly chamber and solo music continues up to this time.

In the Philippine Star column “Sundry Strokes”, music critic Rosalinda Orosa wrote of Nick as having “demonstrated his more-than-ample pianistic ability and creativity.”  Nick was alluded to in his other performances by another music critic Celine Pil as a “pianist with the expression” and “with virtuosic growling arpeggios in the lower left hand registers.”

Nick has certainly made a mark in the Music scene with his expression and passion in classical music. The first time I watched him play was his performance for Florentino “Jun” Impas’ one-man show art exhibit. Everybody paused. Everybody watched. Everybody listened. Nick’s performance was certainly a head turner; truly, an amazing artist and performer.

Nick Nañgit, a CPA-Lawyer, a Professor, and an International Concert Pianist.

CONCERT/SHOWS

2011, July 21 - MUSICAL TWILIGHT, GSIS Museum, Pasay City... Read More.