THE NICW STORY
The Nicaragua International Choral Workshop (NICW) began with a simple idea: that music has a unique ability to connect people across cultures.
Inspired by extended family stays in Nicaragua and a deep appreciation for the country’s people, landscapes, and musical life, Canadian musician, conductor, and impresario Roland Graham founded NICW to bring people together to make music, travel, learn, and enjoy meaningful cultural exchange with Nicaraguans.
NICW offers Canadian singers the opportunity to prepare and perform outstanding choral repertoire both as guest performers and alongside Nicaraguan musicians while discovering the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
At its heart, NICW is committed to international artistic collaboration grounded in curiosity, mutual respect, and a shared appreciation for the universal language of music.
Inspired by extended family stays in Nicaragua and a deep appreciation for the country’s people, landscapes, and musical life, Canadian musician, conductor, and impresario Roland Graham founded NICW to bring people together to make music, travel, learn, and enjoy meaningful cultural exchange with Nicaraguans.
NICW offers Canadian singers the opportunity to prepare and perform outstanding choral repertoire both as guest performers and alongside Nicaraguan musicians while discovering the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
At its heart, NICW is committed to international artistic collaboration grounded in curiosity, mutual respect, and a shared appreciation for the universal language of music.
“The chance to meet and sing with other choristers from Nicaragua was a highlight of the trip.”
Musical Philosophy
NICW is founded on the belief that the richest musical experiences are created through collaboration and shared purpose. Participants prepare their music before travelling so that rehearsals can focus on interpretation, ensemble, and artistic expression rather than note-learning. This expectation of personal musical responsibility allows rehearsals to become
opportunities for musical exploration and the pursuit of a shared artistic vision.
Repertoire is selected to nurture singers’ strengths while expanding musical horizons. Classical masterworks are approached as part of a shared musical heritage, complemented by Canadian and Nicaraguan choral works that enrich the experience of international exchange.
Choral singing develops far more than musical skill. Singing together fosters camaraderie, deepens listening and empathy, builds confidence and independence, and teaches us how to contribute meaningfully to a community. Above all, NICW promotes personal autonomy and empowers people to use their most important means of expression: their own voice.
Repertoire is selected to nurture singers’ strengths while expanding musical horizons. Classical masterworks are approached as part of a shared musical heritage, complemented by Canadian and Nicaraguan choral works that enrich the experience of international exchange.
Choral singing develops far more than musical skill. Singing together fosters camaraderie, deepens listening and empathy, builds confidence and independence, and teaches us how to contribute meaningfully to a community. Above all, NICW promotes personal autonomy and empowers people to use their most important means of expression: their own voice.
“NICW rehearsals were a learning delight.”
— Tonia
Travel Experience
NICW removes much of the work and anxiety of travel through a curated experience that preserves the freedom for participants to make the journey their own. Flights from Canada, accommodation, ground transportation, many meals, musical activities, and excursions are coordinated with experienced English-speaking guides, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the experience rather than worry about logistics.
NICW itineraries balance music-making and group activities with ample free time. Musical activities occupy only a portion of each day, leaving time to explore, make friends, and enjoy Nicaragua’s relaxed pace. Non-singing partners and accompanying friends have numerous options during rehearsals and performances and are included in all other activities.
Tours explore remarkable places including San Juan del Sur, Granada, and León, with visits to volcanoes, beaches, markets, museums, and nature reserves. Optional activities include swimming in the ocean, sampling local cuisine, learning about Nicaragua’s rum, cigar, and chocolate industries, discovering its wildlife and geology, relaxing in cafés or at the spa, and enjoying spectacular sunsets. Apart from a limited number of rehearsal and concert days, the pace is intentionally relaxed, creating a restorative experience.
NICW is developed in close collaboration with Nicaraguan guides, hotels, hosts, and community partners, whose combined knowledge and hospitality create an experience that visitors would be unlikely to discover on their own while supporting local businesses and communities and presenting Nicaragua with authenticity and respect. See sample of partners below.
NICW itineraries balance music-making and group activities with ample free time. Musical activities occupy only a portion of each day, leaving time to explore, make friends, and enjoy Nicaragua’s relaxed pace. Non-singing partners and accompanying friends have numerous options during rehearsals and performances and are included in all other activities.
Tours explore remarkable places including San Juan del Sur, Granada, and León, with visits to volcanoes, beaches, markets, museums, and nature reserves. Optional activities include swimming in the ocean, sampling local cuisine, learning about Nicaragua’s rum, cigar, and chocolate industries, discovering its wildlife and geology, relaxing in cafés or at the spa, and enjoying spectacular sunsets. Apart from a limited number of rehearsal and concert days, the pace is intentionally relaxed, creating a restorative experience.
NICW is developed in close collaboration with Nicaraguan guides, hotels, hosts, and community partners, whose combined knowledge and hospitality create an experience that visitors would be unlikely to discover on their own while supporting local businesses and communities and presenting Nicaragua with authenticity and respect. See sample of partners below.
“The tour is well-run, well-organized and very well led.”
Roland Graham
NICW Founder and Artistic Director
Roland Graham is a Canadian conductor, pianist, composer, and educator inspired by artistic
excellence, purposeful learning, and the power of music to promote human connection.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from the Universities of Ottawa and Montréal. He has performed across Canada and abroad, appeared on CBC Radio and Radio Ville-Marie, and composed Canticles for the Evening Service, premiered at Canterbury Cathedral in 2005.
“Roland founded NICW after developing lasting friendships and musical partnerships during extended family stays in Nicaragua. He has also founded a number of musical initiatives, including Doors Open for Music at South minister (DOMS), the Master Piano Recital Series (MPRS), Rideau Chorale, and Ottawa Choral Workshops (MPRS), Rideau Chorale, and Ottawa Choral Workshops (OCW), and has led workshops and performances throughout Canada, Europe, and Central America.”
NICW’s inaugural workshop took place in 2024, followed by an expanded second workshop in 2026 featuring performances with Granada’s Coro Laudate. That collaboration led to an invitation from the Director of the Rubén Darío National Theatre for Roland to conduct highlights from Handel’s Messiah in 2027.
Hailed as “an excellent conductor and inspiring educator,” Roland balances high expectations with enthusiasm, clarity, humor, and encouragement. Singers have praised his “fine teaching, energetic direction, and great ideas,” describing his workshops as “richly textured, vividly imagined, and clearly delivered.”
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from the Universities of Ottawa and Montréal. He has performed across Canada and abroad, appeared on CBC Radio and Radio Ville-Marie, and composed Canticles for the Evening Service, premiered at Canterbury Cathedral in 2005.
“Roland founded NICW after developing lasting friendships and musical partnerships during extended family stays in Nicaragua. He has also founded a number of musical initiatives, including Doors Open for Music at South minister (DOMS), the Master Piano Recital Series (MPRS), Rideau Chorale, and Ottawa Choral Workshops (MPRS), Rideau Chorale, and Ottawa Choral Workshops (OCW), and has led workshops and performances throughout Canada, Europe, and Central America.”
NICW’s inaugural workshop took place in 2024, followed by an expanded second workshop in 2026 featuring performances with Granada’s Coro Laudate. That collaboration led to an invitation from the Director of the Rubén Darío National Theatre for Roland to conduct highlights from Handel’s Messiah in 2027.
Hailed as “an excellent conductor and inspiring educator,” Roland balances high expectations with enthusiasm, clarity, humor, and encouragement. Singers have praised his “fine teaching, energetic direction, and great ideas,” describing his workshops as “richly textured, vividly imagined, and clearly delivered.”
This tour is a wonderful experience culturally, musically and socially. Nicaragua is a beautiful country, with beautiful, resilient people, and the tour is well-run, well-organized and very well led.”
NICW PARTNERS
NICW is made possible through trusted partnerships with musicians, venues, hotels, travel professionals, and community hosts in Nicaragua and Canada. Here’s a sample of them.
PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS
The NICW Story
Over two successful workshops, NICW has already brought together dozens of Canadian singers for memorable musical experiences in Nicaragua while establishing lasting artistic partnerships with local musicians.
NICW 2024
The Beginning
Twenty-three singers travelled to Nicaragua for the first NICW, discovering how naturally choral music, cultural exploration, winter warmth, and shared adventure could come together.
“One of the best trips I have taken because it combined my favourite things—making music, spending time on the ocean, and mingling with locals.”
NICW 2026
Growing the Collaboration
Thirty-three participants returned for a larger journey that expanded to new destinations and introduced performances with Granada’s Coro Laudate.
The experience deepened NICW’s relationships with Nicaraguan musicians and laid the groundwork for 2027.
The experience deepened NICW’s relationships with Nicaraguan musicians and laid the groundwork for 2027.
“Interacting with Coro Laudate was the highlight of the trip for me.”
EXPLORE NICW 27
All the details of NICW 27 are now available. Learn more, join the mailing list, or contact us with an inquiry.
