Nick Anton–Director, ICYOLA Academy

Nick Anton is a musician and music educator from Queens, New York City. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music, where he received the Alexander Kouguell Award for Cello Excellence. Nick began his professional career in 2017 as a cellist and guitarist for the Broadway hit Waitress, serving as the cello/guitar chair on the first national tour from 2017 to 2019. He later held the cello/guitar chair for the Off-Broadway production of Darling Grenadine with the Roundabout Theatre Company and performed in the 2022 Broadway revival of 1776 and the 2023 revival of Sweeney Todd, starring Josh Groban. Since relocating to Los Angeles, Nick has remained an active pit musician, performing in productions such as Fiddler on the Roof at La Mirada Theatre, starring Jason Alexander, and Hadestown at the Pantages Theatre.

In addition to his performance career, Nick is a dedicated music educator and producer. He has performed with artists including Sara Bareilles, Katharine McPhee, Jordin Sparks, Alan Cumming, Yandel, Del Water Gap, Matteo Lane, and Karen Elson, and has produced dozens of albums for singer-songwriters across the United States. In late 2025, he produced music for an animated short released by RuPaul’s Drag Race, starring Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Nick taught at Real Brave Audio, The Larchmont Music Academy, and Guitar Guide Guru in New York. After joining the ICYOLA faculty in 2024, he was promoted in early 2026 to Director of the ICYOLA Academy, where he continues to lead and mentor young musicians with a focus on excellence, access, and artistic growth.