Hailed by The American Spectator (2020) for his “energetic” leadership and his role in restoring “the Roman Rite in all its solemnity and splendor,” Nick Botkins is an organist and conductor known for his liturgical instinct, expressive improvisation, and deep command of the Church’s musical tradition. He serves as Organist and Choirmaster at the Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist in Stamford, Conn., where he directs the professional Schola and curates a repertoire spanning more than a millennium of sacred music.

In addition to his work at the Basilica, Mr. Botkins serves on the faculty of Cardinal Kung Academy in Fairfield County, where he teaches music theory and directs the Cardinal Kung Academy Schola Cantorum and Boychoir. He is particularly noted for his expertise in Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, and the orchestral Mass tradition.

As an organist, he has performed throughout the United States and Europe, including to enthusiastic audiences at Westminster Cathedral (London), Saint-Eugène (Paris), the National Convention of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (St. Louis), and regional events of the American Guild of Organists. His performances have been broadcast by the Radio Arts Foundation, USA.

Matthew Cramer is a conductor, singer, and composer. He is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting at Northwestern University, studying under Dr. Donald Nally. He holds a Graduate Professional Diploma and a Bachelor of Music, both in composition, from the Hartt School where he studied with Dr. David Macbride, Gilda Lyons, Elizabeth Brown, Dr. Robert Carl, Dr. Tawnie Olson, Ken Steen, and Dr. Larry Alan Smith, and a Master's of Music in Choral Conducting from the Yale School of Music, where he studied conducting with David Hill, Jeffrey Douma, and Marguerite Brooks and voice with Judith Malafronte.

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