Nina rehearsing with Vox Madras at Goethe-Institut Chennai, December 2019. Copyright: Goethe-Institut Chennai

Nina is passionate about music education and outreach, and has been working in these fields since her undergraduate studies.

Since February 2019 Nina has been a faculty member at KM Music Conservatory (KMMC) in Chennai, India, where she is a lecturer in Western Classical Voice, Music History and Musicianship Skills.

Nina is the founder of Vox Madras, a new vocal chamber ensemble made up of students from KMMC. In December 2019 they gave their first concert to a packed-out audience at Chennai’s Goethe Institut, performing opera and choral works by composers including Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Berlioz, Lehár, Verdi and Tavener. In April they will give a concert of Easter music at the Amir Mahal palace in Chennai.

Vox Madras with Nina Kanter. Copyright: Goethe-Institut Chennai

In 2020 Nina founded India’s first Art Song Festival, dedicated to celebrating and promoting western classical art song to new audiences in India. This launched in January at KMMC with an opening concert and student masterclass, featuring guest artists Patricia Rozario OBE and Mark Troop, and was profiled in articles in The Hindu and Serenade Magazine. The festival proper will take place in April and will include a new competition for student duos, masterclasses and workshops, and a series of concerts from visiting artists.

Mark Troop works with masterclass participant Shameer Mohamed at the Art Song Festival 2020 launch event

Performers and masterclass participants at the first Art Song Festival launch event, KMMC, January 2020. From left: Adam Greig, Mark Troop, Nina Kanter, Patricia Rozario, Jaganjot Randhawa, Bhavani Gayathri Devi, Divya Iyer, Hrisheek Ganesh, Shameer Mohamed, Shantanu Patel

Prior to moving to Chennai, Nina taught singing, piano and music theory in London for the last seven years, alongside developing her performing career. She has taught many private students ranging from children to adults and beginners to advanced levels, and also in schools (Selwyn School, Waltham; Kew Green Prep School, Richmond; St Anthony’s Prep School, Hampstead; Westbrook Hay Prep School, Hemel Hampstead; St George’s Roman Catholic School, Maida Vale).

Nina with KMMC Summer School students after their first performance of Western Classical music, Chennai, May 2019

Nina has participated in outreach training with Streetwise Opera, Voicelab and with Suzi Zumpe at ENO as part of their Opera Works programme. After completing her BA, she was a project assistant intern for Create (Arts) Limited, working on a range of cross-genre arts projects for many vulnerable community groups. Nina then worked for the Education Department at Cecil Sharp House on their education and outreach projects, before leaving to teach and perform full time.

Nina receiving an honorary award for her teaching in India, Raj School of Music and Arts, Bangalore, May 2019