<p><br />On leaving the RNCM in 1998, he graduated with a B Mus (Hons) Degree and was awarded the Alan Rawsthorne Prize for his opera <em>Fur</em> - based on a story by Janet Pate. In 1997 he composed <em>Towards the Gates of Heaven</em> for the RNCM Wind Orchestra. As a composer, he has written music in many genres including orchestral, chamber and keyboard music, theatre scores and liturgical music. Nicolas is currently working on a music drama <em>Sirens</em> that he has been writing since 2003 with lyricist Anthony Dowlatshahi. Most projects include incidental music for two plays <em>Red Riding Hood &amp; the Wolves</em> and <em>Snow White</em> both commissioned by C theatres, Edinburgh. Performances of <em>Red Riding Hood</em> took place in February at the Warsaw Dance Academy, with the composer as resident pianist. <em>Snow White</em> soon followed and the two were premièred to critical acclaim at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. <em>Hansel and Gretal </em>followed in 2006. Plans for 2007-8 include a chamber opera for C Theatres to be included in the 2008-9 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Nicolas completed an M Mus in Composing for Music Theatre in 2006 at Thames Valley University studying with Francis Pott and Dr. Laurence Roman.</p>