Nicho Barnard, born as Johannes Nicholas Barnard, is an Award-Winning Singer, Actor and Qualified and Experienced Film, Television and Theater Director, Producer and Director. Nicho is also the holder of an event management degree, a diploma in fitness and health for indoor cycling, he has a private pilot license in aviation and numerous qualifications and awards in Music, especially singing. Nicho is the Founder & CEO of The South African Film, Acting & Theater Academy, a Director of two major production houses and a Youth Diplomat for South Africa. *Early Life & Education* . . . Born on the 13th of July 1995 in Welkom, a small town in the Free State Province of South Africa, Nicho grew up there most of his life. He went to primary school in Riebeeckstad and thereafter to Goudveld Highschool in Welkom. Since childhood the performing arts and film industry was a love and passion of Nicho and the bug bit him since the age of 10 years old. Nicho has two sisters, his eldest sister being Savannah van Zyl and his youngest being Dezchane Koen. Nicho grew up with his mother, Marti Koen and stepfather, Hans Koen and also said that his Grandmother, Reynette van Helsdingen was also a great part of his life and career when he was younger. In 2011, Graduating Grade 10 in Goudveld, Nicho left school and moved to the big city where he resided in Hartbeespoortdam with his family. Nicho pursued a flying career path and started studying aviation in 2012 at the Lanseria Flight Center in Johannesburg and after 70 hours of fight time and getting SPL Pilot License, Nicho left the flying industry because of personal and financial difficulties. After expressing that aviation wasn't his passion and dreams, Nicho went ahead and studied Event Management at the end of 2012 and also enrolled with Cambrige Internetional to finish his Grade 11 & Grade 12 through homeschooling. Shortly after Nicho also enrolled himself for Rock School to get his Performance Degree in Vocal Studies and aced a Grade 8 (Highest Level) in the UK for Singing. He also got his Musical Theater Productions Degree by the end of 2015 through the Trinity College in London and completed Vocal Courses through Brett Manning's Singing Success Course. Nicho also took on a Film & Television Directing & Writing course through Wits's media partners, City Varsity, which he completed end of 2015. Throughout 2012 - 2016, whilst studying, Nicho has held numerous occupations in the corporate industries being full time employed to support his studies. This included being a music and private teacher, a vocal coach, a human resource manager, an event planner, a telesales marketer and even a waiter. However Nicho believed that being stuck behind a desk and working an ordinary live from 9 to 5 was not what he was destined to do. That is why, throughout the years of being full time employed in corporate, Nicho started working on his own company "NJ Entertainment & Associates on the sideline, to develop and grow it so that it can one day become self sustainable and sufficient. It wasn't until end of 2016 when he left the corporate industry for good, and started working full time on his own company, dreams and aspirations. Nicho then drove all his focus in growing his Acting, Directing, Writing, Singing and Producing Career alongside his company's growth and aspirations. NJ Entertainment started branding out in 2017 and Nightlight Productions, Dandelion Pictures and SAFATA Academy was created. All of which are division of the parent and corporate company that is NJ Entertainment & Associates. *Career Timeline* . . . The aspiration started for Nicho when he was just 10 years old. Nicho was big in singing and won his first talent competition when he was in Grade 4 and thereafter competed in every singing and talent competition that you can think of, most of which he won, which included Idols Junior (2005), The Young One (2007), Day with the stars with Lianie May, Fredi Nest, Pieter Naude (2009) and Vocalique with Antonie Bougas (2009). Nicho was in the Welkom Vocal Studio where he was coached by Carin Lombard for 4 years of which he was one of the top 10 students for 3 years and performed on the center stage for 3 of the studio's productions. In 2007 Nicho made a video recording album, Aan Jou Vas, which featured 6 cover tracks. He also performed those covers at the National Wildsfees in Marquad in 2007. In 2009 Nicho made his Theatrical Debut when he was cast in a cameo role in the Rock and Roll Musical "Grease". That year he also competed in the South African Championships of Performing Arts and received 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, Provincial and Honoree Clothes for Singing and was also chosen to feature in the commercial for Kyknet's Music Reality Program called "Kom ons Karioke" presented by Jannie Moolman. Nicho was further also invited as a guest performer for many formal events which included Hospice Charity Fund Drives, Gala Dinner with the Springboks Rugby Team and Miss Goldfields in 2010. In 2010, Nicho aced several golden awards and silver awards in the National Eisteddfod and Nicho also performed in the Andrew Loydd Webber Tribute Show in the Oppenheimer Theatre. He was also asked to perform as a guest artist at the Christmas by Candlelight Birthday Bash for Welkom Square and Game's 40th Birthday Bash. In 2010, Nicho also co-assisted his mother's vocal studio, MK Vocal Studio. In 2011, Nicho landed a leading role as "Cogsworth" the British clock in the Broadway Musical "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" and performed for 6 consecutive shows in the Oppenheimer Theatre. The show also got invited for a run in the Bloemfontein State Theatre but never did because of other co-stars obligations. Nicho competed in the South African Championships of Performing Arts in 2011 and walked away with 2 silver and 1 golden medal and he received full honoree clothes, provincial and South African National Clothes for singing. He was chosen as a representative of South Africa to compete at the World Olympics of Arts in Los Angeles. Nicho was also selected to perform in the Free State Showcase "Starstruck" of the SA Championships, directed by Provincial Director, Anina Hattingh. In 2011, Nicho made his second demo Album, "For your entertainment" and released demo tracks from the album on social media. At the age of 16 in 2011, Nicho made his Directing Debut for Theatre when he directed, produced and also starred in his own adaption of the theater production "Fame" alongside 12 other singers, actors and dancers. The production was showcased at the Koningkryk Auditorium for over 200+ people for one night only and received phenomenal reviews and positive critics from media. Nicho made headlines for being the youngest theatrical Director and Producer to accomplish this. In 2012, Nicho pursued his flying career and traveled all around South Africa, but didn't leave the arts behind. Nicho appeared as a cameo in Generations and Muvongho and was also a cameo in a German Coca-Cola TV Advert. This was Nicho's first paid TV Work. Nicho was also that year chosen as a finalist for the Mr Teen South Africa Pageant. By the end of 2012, Nicho left the flying career and started studying Event Management & Coordination and finished his Advance Vocal Coaching Course with Brett Manning's Singing Success. In 2013 he opened his own Vocal Academy School in Hartbeespoortdam and started developing his now existing company NJ Entertainment. Nicho's vocal academy did several productions which included "Night at the Oscars" and "Christmas Eve" all which were directed and produced by Nicho Barnard. In 2013, Nicho Barnard founded and created "The Xtreme Talent Search", a provincial and regional talent competition. In 2013, Rising Star Academy partnered up with Nicho for the first season of The Xtreme Talent Search and Barnard directed the competition with Andrea Nel's assistance. Nicho was also invited to perform at the New York Times Square Fashion Show for Carmen's Bridal Boutique that year and was also a guest performer at the "We Can Dance" Dance Festival Show in his hometown Welkom. Nicho also made a guest performances on the main stage of Monte Casino in Fourways alongside his current life partner of 2 years at that time, Jean Benecke. In 2014, the Xtreme Talent Search was renewed for a second season and the competition got expanded majorly to 7 cities. Nicho was announced as director and producer, same as Season 1, and Majestic Melody Studios was announced as the partnering company for Season 2. The Season Finale Showcase was also directed and hosted by Nicho who also made a guest performance in the opening act alongside the Top 10. Throughout 2014, Nicho was asked to joined a private school in Randburg Johannesburg as a private teacher and vocal coach and he also assisted in coordinating the schools productions. Nicho also directed and choreographed the school's year end production "Hollywood" and hosted a Christmas Charity Drive "Christmas Carols" in Blairgowrie in November 2014. Nicho announced his departure from the school in 2015 to pursue other ventures. In 2015, Nicho decided to expand his company, NJ Entertainment and the company was then also full registered. The Xtreme Talent Search was renewed for a third season but Nicho announced that he the season will be postponed until further notice due to other obligations he had at that time. Nicho instead, created and directed a Modern Cinderella Musical, "Once Upon A Song" based on the major motion picture, which showcased at the Roodepoort Theatre in August 2015 and got extended due to public demand for an entire month. The Critic's and Feedback of the musical was outstanding and the musical received an overall rating of 85% (Distinction Award) by the Trinity College of Arts in London. Nicho won "Best Actor in a supporting role" and "Best Male Character in a musical" for his role as "Ravi / Tony" in the musical. The musical itself received a golden award (Distinction) from the Trinity College of Arts in London with International accreditation and recognition. Nicho also started working and developing a brand new television series called "The Crossing" which Nicho created and wrote. It was a drama-thriller TV Series that was pitched to Mnet and SABC. In 2016, "The Crossing" got initial green-lit for a pilot episode by a potential networks and principal photography for the pilot started in April 2016. Nicho served as the Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director and Writer and was also cast in a supporting role of Detective Clarke. Principal Photography was wrapped in May 2016 and post took several more months until the episode was finally screened privately in Hartbeespoort Dam to cast, crew, family, friends and executives. Receiving positive review and critics, Nicho pursued the show further and re approached several networks. Nicho made a guest appearance on the musical game show "Musiek Roulette" on SABC 2 in July 2016 and was asked to join "Noot vir Noot" in the next season but due to other projects, Nicho had to decline the offer. In October 2016, Nicho created a short film division called "Nightlight Productions" for his company NJ Entertainment and he gather a team of people to create a short film in just 48 hours. Nicho directed and produced an action short film called "Play Me" for the 48 Hour Film Festival which screened in cinema's in October 2017. The film won 2 local awards for "Best use of line" and "Best Makeup". and also received 2 honorable mentions for being runner up in the "Audience Favorite Award" and third place overall for the "Best Acting Award". The film was accepted in 4 major film festivals internationally including in New York, Los Angeles and the UK, however won no awards there. Nicho was also cast in the lead role as "Seymour" in the Sci-Fi Musical "Little Shop of Horrors" which had numerous runs in November and December 2016. The directors and producers announced the renewal of everyone's contracts and that the show will continue for several more runs in 2017 due to the success and demand of the show and the same cast will also be doing other productions for the same theatre house in 2017. However, Nicho respectively announced his departure from the production and theatre house in January 2017 and did not renew his contract due to other upcoming projects which was lined up. Personally, in the beginning of 2017, Nicho and his life partner / fiance of 7 years at that time, broke up in February 2017. Nicho instead decided to focus purely on his career, dreams and passions and since then has progressed majorly. In March 2017, Nicho announced that Laikin Govender will be a co-director and partner for NJ Entertainment, his company and that the company are planning on expanding more widely. The Crossing (TV Series) was initially picked up by the SABC in early 2017 and the show underwent numerous re-castings. Nicho was confirmed to remain the Showrunner and Executive Producer but won't be the sole Director, and instead the show will also bring on board several other writers and directors from all around South Africa. Nicho was also re-cast in the supporting role of "Finn Riley" in the TV Series. Production was postponed until 2018 after Nicho decided to pull out from the initial network due to them having financial issues and instead, an international network was confirmed for distribution later that year. Production was set to start in 2018 and the show was renamed as "Obsession" due to International Regulations. Throughout 2017, Nicho also made several cameo and background appearances on other TV work including commercial work for Toyota, Emirates, Discovery, Hyundai, Outsurance, Romans Pizza and was also a soldier/military guy (cameo role) in a Silverskerm Movie "Die man met die snor", which aired on DSTV and Showmax in early 2018. By the end of 2017, Nicho directed and co-produced another award-winning short film "A Glass Half Full" which he also made a small cameo appearance in, and directed and produced the international short film "The Tate Experiment" which Nicho also played the lead role of Benjamin Tate. Both films premiered in local cinema's in October and November 2017 and was set to be entered into numerous festivals in 2018 as well as be released in 2018 on major VOD platforms. A Glass Half Full won numerous local awards including "Best Makeup", "Best Special Effects", "Top 3 Best Film in South Africa" and the film was also nominated for "Best Acting", "Best Directing", "Best Sound Design" and "Audience Favorite". Nicho also confirmed that he will be attending an exclusive workshop for producing in New York at the NYFA in 2018 and was also doing training and Masterclasses in Scriptwriting for Television Award-Winning and Critically Acclaimed Showrunner, Shonda Rhimes (well-known for Grey's Anatomy, How to get away with murder and Scandal). In November 2017, Nicho started dating young graphic designer, Phillip Overbeek who accompanied Barnard to the first annual Nightlight Premiere Charity Event at Industrial Coffee Works for the Premiere of The Tate Experiment in proud associations with the Movember Foundation and The South African Depression and Anxiety Group. Nicho confirmed that this event is the first of many to come and Nightlight has already discussed annual partnerships with Industrial Coffee Works & the Movember Foundation. In December 2017, Laikin announced her resignation from the company due to personal matters, and instead Nicho was once again the sole director and CEO of the company NJ Entertainment. Due to these developments, the TV Series "Obsession" was put on temporary hold while Nicho and other producers recouped and restructured all the necessary requirements for the show to go forward. Nicho launched the SAFATA division of NJ Entertainment in March 2018 in Midrand alongside industry professional Liesl Ahlers as the Acting Mentor. In March 2018, Barnard announced several work which was lined up for 2018, including a brand new (longer) short film, another 48 Hour Film Project, another International Short Film and a possible Web-Series. Nicho also announced that he will be doing another theatre piece later in 2018 and that The Xtreme Talent Search Season 3 might return in 2019. Furthermore, it was said that Nightlight Productions, apart from their annual charity event which will become a yearly tradition, might also launch a brand new film festival award ceremony in South Africa in early 2019 alongside many industry partners. By the end of April 2018, principal photography for Nicho's latest film "The Defining Moment" was wrapped. Nicho served as the Producer and Director of the film and also made a short cameo in the film as well. The film continued post-productions and was said to be entered into the Silwerskerm Festival for Kyknet and DSTV as well as numerous other festivals around the world. The film was officially completed and entered into the Silwerskerm on the 2nd of May 2018. In May 2018, Nicho was appointed as an Executive Producer and Showrunner for another International Television Series by a company called Windmill Productions. The company later appointed Nicho to do the development of the show and Nicho was officially made a Director of the company in July 2018. In August 2018, Nicho was chosen and elected as an official Youth Diplomat for South Africa and will be traveling to Bangkok for the United Nations Youth Conference to represent South Africa. Nicho was also asked to be the MAIN head judge of Talent Africa Regional & Nationals and SAFATA became one of their sponsors. Nicho also for the first year, did not participate in the South African 48 Hour Film Festival after he was asked by the producers to be an official judge for the South African films. Nicho and his business partners from Windmill Productions joined forces for SAFATA and SAFATA was officially registered as it's own entity in September 2018 and no longer part of NJ Entertainment. The other Director's of Windmill also now serves as the Director's of SAFATA. Windmill Productions partnered up with another major film house in South Africa for the International Television Series, and Nicho was offered a an acting role as a supporting character in the TV show as well as an acting role in a possible international feature film set to start production late 2019. Nicho will also be joining the set as a First Assistant Director (1st AD) and Unit Production Supervisor for another International Feature Film which starts production in South Africa in January 2019. - IMDb Mini Biography By: NJ Entertainment & Associates
