Nick Freeman plans to study music education at the University of Southern Maine and become a high school teacher. Robert Lowell / American Journal

Bonny Eagle senior Nicholas Freeman sings and plays flute, piano, alto sax, baritone sax and percussion instruments, but he hadn’t taken up the trombone until just recently. He picked one up, taught himself to play it and two weeks later, performed with it at a concert.

“He is driven by his love for music,” said Bonny Eagle choral director and music educator Allen Thomas.

Freeman will graduate with 224 other Bonny Eagle seniors on Friday, June 9, in commencement exercises at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.

Nick Freeman performed in Maryland last year in a chorus of 240 from all 50 states. Contributed / Nick Freeman

An honor student, Freeman’s primary focus has been music and choir as part of a packed academic schedule. He enjoyed physics this year, he said, and in addition to his musical obligations and performances, he has played soccer and lacrosse. He’s an “ardent” Scots fan and attended all home athletic events and is well-rounded and well liked, according to Principal Gregory Applestein.

“He’s a Renaissance man,” Applestein said.

When he’d get too busy and start to stress, Freeman would play the piano.

“And just like that, everything on my mind is released in the auditory form of the piano,” he said.

From learning new instruments to conducting to starting a jazz band, Freeman is a role model and “great leader in any situation,” Thomas said.

“His peers and his teachers respect him because he is among the best at what he does, his work ethic and dependability are unmatched, and his enthusiasm is contagious” Allen said. “He is respectful and kind to others and gets a little fiery when needed. Nick is about the perfect balance of talent, drive, and personality a teacher could ask for.”

Last fall, Freeman was selected to perform in Maryland with a 240-member chorus from all 50 states. “It was awesome,” he said.

He plans to study music education and will commute in his red Jeep Wrangler to the University of Southern Maine. His goal is to teach at the high school level like Thomas, his favorite teacher and “a selfless guy,” he said.

“I’ll be open to helping out my students no matter what they need,” he said. “My dream is to help students not only learn their instruments and reach their goals, but learn to have soul.”

The past four years have flown by for Freeman, who is the son of Brenda Freeman of Hollis and Mike Freeman of Tennessee, and graduation will be bittersweet, he said.

“I’m excited,” he said. “It’ll be hard to say goodbye.”