Born in Slovenia in 1990, Nika studied at the Ballet and Music School in Maribor, the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, and the Royal Academy of Music, where she is currently completing her studies with Lillian Watson and Jonathan Papp on the Opera Course. In 2016 Nika joined Salzburg Festival’s Young Singers Project, singing the role of Titania in a new production of The Fairy Queen and in masterclasses with Thomas Hampson, Malcolm Martineau and Dame Ann Murray. Nominated by Salzburg Festival to take part in the Stella Maris International Vocal Competition, Nika went on to win a special Jury Prize of a recital at Vienna’s prestigious Musikverein. During 2016 Nika also took part in a production of Handel’s Messiah with Opéra National de Bordeaux and sang the roles of Norina (Don Pasquale) with Slovene National Theatre, Susanna (Marriage of Figaro) and Fortuna and Pallade (L’incoronazione di Poppea) with Royal Academy Opera conducted by Jane Glover. Engagements this season include the roles of Eurydice (Orphée aux enfers), Polly Peachum (The Threepenny Opera) and Sophie (scenes from Rosenkavalier) with RAO. She gives recitals at Wigmore Hall, Colston Hall Bristol, the Oxford Lieder and Midsummer Festivals, and is soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 (arr. Erwin Stein) with the Festival Maribor Chamber Ensemble. During her studies at the Royal Academy Nika has performed the roles of Dolcina & 1st Arms Sister (Suor Angelica), and appeared in scenes as Ellen Orford (Peter Grimes), Nina (Chérubin), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Despina (Così fan Tutte) and Adina (L’elisir d’amore). Her roles in Graz included Barbarina (Marriage of Figaro), Sandman (Hansel and Gretel) and Elisetta (Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio segreto). On the concert platform highlights have included the Klavier Festival Ruhr with Graham Johnson, Kioi Hall in Tokyo, the Festival Maribor with Richard Tognetti, Gala Slovenica in Marburg, performances of Berg’s 7 Frühe Lieder at Kings Place and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. She is a member of the Academy Song Circle and a soloist in the Kohn Foundation Bach Cantata series. Nika has participated in masterclasses with Elly Ameling (Wigmore Hall), Thomas Quasthoff (Verbier Academy & Festival), Susan Bullock, Angelika Kirchschlager, Helena Lazarska, Matjaz Robavs and Sabina Cvilak. In 2015 she was a finalist and Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra Award winner at the International Competition Zinka Milanov in Croatia. She is grateful for support from a Sir Charles Mackerras Opera Scholarship, Independent Opera Voice Scholarship, the Josephine Baker Trust and the Slovenian Ministry of Culture.