Meet Niké Vopalecká

We were lucky to catch up with Niké Vopalecká recently and have shared our conversation below.

Niké, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.

When I learned that communication is really about connection. A lot of people think it’s just about transmitting information — but information doesn’t truly land until you’ve established at least a basic connection with the other person.

In Czech, my native language, the word for “communication” is used interchangeably with the word for “road” when talking about transportation. I love that metaphor: communication is the road that carries us from one mind to another. To truly connect, we first have to become excellent listeners. That’s been one of the biggest lessons from my undergraduate years — I’ve noticed how much people long to be heard, especially in our fast-paced, constantly distracted generation.

Observing excellent communicators has also had a massive impact on my growth in effective communication. My dad is a professional public speaking coach and even outside of his work, I watched him interact with people with so much clarity, acceptance, and intentionality. It left a deep and beautiful mark on me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer, originally from the Czech Republic. Combining my love for jazz-influenced existential soul-pop and a passion for deep meaningful conversations, I write music that brings people a piece of home. As an artist and performer myself (“Niké” on all streaming platforms) I released my debut single called Don’t Need Her in 2024, a song about letting go of what no longer serves you. This summer, I’m thrilled to be releasing my debut album, featuring seven original songs that range from intimate piano and vocal performances to a full orchestral arrangement. I’m incredibly excited to share this project with the world. It’s been a deeply healing journey for me, and for many people who have already experienced it live.

Besides performing with my own band, I actively write music for other artists. I have worked with both emerging and established artists in my home country and since moving to the U.S., I have the honor of continuing to do that with people from all around the world.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Be unapologetically curious.

Life is so colorful and special in any walk of life and I think it is so important for us to be unstoppable in our curiosity. My favorite collaborators are people that approach the creative process like going to a playground. We bring our toys — in the musicians’ scenario our instruments, laptops, production stations — and we just play. We bring in ideas and we approach it with curiosity – what if we used this ridiculous sound as a drum beat? What if we try to add an extra phrase? What if we try a different melody here? Curiosity is the entry point. And the best possible prevention from creative block.

Learn more about the people you run into on the street. Go to your favorite coffeshop and order something new. Explore a part of your hometown you’ve never visited. Find out more about the things that capture your attention. We have to stay curious and we have to go after things that are intriguing – even if rationally they might not make sense.

2. Say yes.

Most of the opportunities that truly mattered in my life started with saying yes to what seemed like a crazy idea. Whether it was trying to write music in a completely new genre — and ending up leading a 10-piece funk band — or pitching one of my songs to a major artist — who loved it and released it. Saying yes to stepping into the unknown can be terrifying. But even if it ends up being a dead end, you’ve still gained something that will help you say yes to another thing next time.

3. Surround yourself with people that inspire you.

The only reason I am the person — and the musician — I am today is because of the people I’ve been fortunate enough to be around at different moments in my life. A high school classmate who invited me to join my first band. A songwriting teacher who introduced me to new ways of composing. A friend who encouraged me to host a show with original music. We become the sum of the people we surround ourselves with. And finding inspiring people is easier than it seems.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would absolutely love to collaborate with more visual artists and filmmakers! I’ve always been deeply inspired by art forms outside of my own, and multidisciplinary projects get me excited. If you’re a non-musical artist interested in collaborating, I’d love to hear from you. The same goes for songwriters, producers, and fellow musicians looking for a creative partner.
I’m also always looking for opportunities to write and produce music for ads, podcasts, and other content in need of a musical element. If that’s what you’re looking for, reach out to me!

The best way to contact me about any of these opportunities is through my Instagram or via my website (both links at the bottom of the article) .

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Naomi Leites, Alex Corallo, Elia Ma

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