NICK MAY
Saxophonist NICK MAY is recognized as “a highly expressive, virtuosic, and fresh performer” (David Del Tredici, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner) whose artistry “knows no boundaries, neither technically nor emotionally” (AM:plified Magazine). Since making his solo debut at eighteen with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, he has established an international profile with performances across the United States, Singapore, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, including multiple solo appearances at Carnegie Hall.
"His artistry, energy, and commitment to new music make him one of the most exciting performers of his generation."
Ora Paul Haar, Richard H. Larson Distinguished Professor of Music (Saxophone), University of Nebraska - Lincoln
As the founder of the I Exist Project, May leads an innovative artistic initiative that celebrates queer life, culture, and creativity through performance, collaboration, and the commissioning of new repertoire. His recently released album You, Me, Us, in collaboration with pianist Alex Siu Lun Li, was praised by AM:plified Magazine for its “dialogue about visibility… music that fights, heals, and celebrates,” affirming his role as an artist whose work blends activism with musical expression. His advocacy-driven collaborations extend to leading queer cultural institutions — including NoDivide KC, LA Pride, and the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America, among others — as well as to upcoming work honoring the legacy of icons Harvey Milk, Julian Eltinge, and Billy Strayhorn, reflecting a commitment to community impact, representation, and creative partnership at a national level.
A sought-after educator, May has given masterclasses, performances, and residencies at major conservatories and universities including the Manhattan School of Music, the Peabody Institute, Harvard University, UC Davis, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Denison University, the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and the University of Oklahoma, among numerous others. His teaching and lecturing cover performance, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and LGBTQ studies.