From an Elon classroom to coaching Grammy winners, Nick Cooper ’94 has built a career full of creativity and personal growth. The School of Communications graduate said curiosity, resilience and self-belief took him on a journey from North Carolina to stages and boardrooms around the world.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Nick Cooper \u201994 never planned on attending Elon University.<\/p>\n
In fact, he spent much of his college search focused on a different path. But after encouragement from an aunt who worked in higher education, Cooper visited Elon and quickly realized he had discovered something he hadn\u2019t expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was far greater than what I wanted,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cI thought I knew what was best for me, but Elon introduced me to possibilities that were completely outside my scope of understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than two decades later, that willingness to embrace the unexpected has taken Cooper around the world. The broadcast communications graduate has built a career as a vocal coach, creative strategist and entrepreneur, working alongside artists such as Beyonc\u00e9, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Jon Batiste and Kehlani. Today, he coaches performers on Broadway productions around the globe, advises international entertainment companies and leads several ventures focused on artist development and creative strategy.<\/p>\n
![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/eloncdn.blob.core.windows.net\/eu3\/sites\/74\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2024-11-01-at-9.42.09\u202fAM-440x629.png\")
Nick Cooper \u201994 poses for a photo with Grammy Award-winning singer Usher during a previous entertainment industry event.<\/p>\n
Yet Cooper believes the foundation for that success began in the classrooms of Elon.<\/p>\n
As a broadcast communications major with minors in business and Japanese, Cooper immersed himself in disciplines that challenged him to think differently. He originally planned to move to Japan after graduation, becoming fluent in the language and preparing for an international teaching opportunity. Although those plans never surfaced, the experience shaped the way he approached the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cLanguage gave me the confidence to speak to anyone from any culture,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cBusiness taught me how to navigate opportunities and communications taught me how to articulate my thoughts. Those three things changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cooper often found himself as the only African American student in many of his classes. Rather than seeing that as a limitation, he credits professors with pushing him to develop his voice and perspective.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey would ask me, \u2018Nick, what\u2019s your perspective?’\u201d he said. \u201cWhat they didn\u2019t know was they were helping me build resilience and teaching me how to articulate who I was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those conversations became some of the most important lessons of his college experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t about what I knew,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cIt was about learning how to communicate with people who didn\u2019t necessarily think like me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside the classroom, Elon\u2019s emphasis on hands-on learning provided opportunities to put those skills into practice. Cooper hosted programming on ESTV and explored interests in media, performance and leadership while developing the communication skills that would later become central to his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cElon gave me an agnostic toolbox,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cIt prepared me to go into any room and communicate effectively. More importantly, it taught me how to write. There\u2019s nothing I can\u2019t write.\u201d<\/p>\n
After graduation, Cooper entered the entertainment industry, initially pursuing opportunities as a performer and creative professional. Over time, he discovered a talent for helping artists unlock their potential, leading him into vocal coaching and artist development.<\/p>\n
![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/eloncdn.blob.core.windows.net\/eu3\/sites\/74\/2026\/06\/DSC06422-440x293.jpg\")
Nick Cooper \u201994 poses for a portrait during a photo shoot.<\/p>\n
His client list eventually grew to include some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. However, Cooper said his defining career moment had nothing to do with celebrities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe breakthrough wasn\u2019t working with famous people,\u201d he said. \u201cThe breakthrough was looking in the mirror and knowing who I was.\u201d<\/p>\n
That lesson became especially important when he was first asked to work with Beyonc\u00e9. Before the session, Cooper was warned that she would quickly decide whether he was the right fit. Instead of feeling intimidated, he focused on what he could offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t show up for me to cower in front of her,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cShe showed up because I had something that could help her.\u201d<\/p>\n
That mindset has guided his career ever since.<\/p>\n
Whether coaching Grammy-winning artists, mentoring Broadway performers or advising global entertainment organizations, Cooper approaches every relationship the same way: helping people discover what they are capable of becoming.<\/p>\n
Among those he has worked closely with is Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste. Cooper describes their relationship as one built not only on music, but on personal growth and purpose.<\/p>\n
![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/eloncdn.blob.core.windows.net\/eu3\/sites\/74\/2026\/06\/20191016_150934-440x587.jpg\")
Nick Cooper \u201994 poses for a photo with Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste during an entertainment industry event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt starts as music,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cThen it becomes a lesson in life, a lesson in business and eventually a friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, Cooper continues expanding that philosophy through multiple ventures, including Creative Village, a mentorship and development platform designed to provide emerging artists with access to the same guidance and resources often reserved for industry insiders.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to create opportunities for people who wouldn\u2019t normally have access to them,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cMy goal is to help people maximize their potential while they\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he reflects on his journey, Cooper sees a direct connection between the uncertainty he experienced as a student and the success he enjoys today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were many times at Elon when I didn\u2019t know what was next,\u201d he said. \u201cBut that uncertainty forced me to develop curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Cooper, curiosity remains one of the most valuable traits a person can cultivate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I look back at Elon, it created the framework for my success,\u201d he said. \u201cMore importantly, it created the curiosity that still drives everything I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
For current students hoping to build careers of their own, Cooper offers simple advice: don\u2019t wait for someone else to validate your potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t wait for the world to say yes to what you can say yes to first,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n