A native of Belmont, North Carolina, Nick attended Western Carolina University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Communication Media, and minor in Music, in the spring of 2006. After working in the Radio Industry out of the Greater Charlotte, North Carolina market, Nick decided to pursue a second degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. An Honors graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, concentrating in Percussion Performance and Composition, Nick Nichols is currently a Masters candidate at East Carolina University School of Music.
Nick has performed with the Sudler Trophy-winning “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band from Western Carolina University, as well as the University’s Professional Percussion Ensemble. He has toured with the WCU Jazz Combo and WCU Big Band serving as their Resident Percussionist/Set Drummer. At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Nick performed with the Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Combos, and also served as the Principal Percussionist for the Concert Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Nick is also a second-generation alum of Carolina Thunder, and has been a sought-after musician and clinician for various local music groups, artists, and churches in the Greater Charlotte Metro Region and Eastern North Carolina.
Nick currently serves as the Executive Director of Forza East Independent Percussion, a WGI Open Class Independent ensemble (Forza East Productions), as well as the Instructor for the East Carolina University Marching Pirates Drumline. Before moving to Eastern North Carolina, Nick served as the Percussion Caption Head at North Lincoln High School since 2007. Nick also served as the battery arranger and instructor for the “Band of Knights,” in addition to serving as Ensemble Director for the “NL Black” Indoor Percussion Ensemble, a perennial medalist within the Carolina Indoor Performance Association (CIPA) Championships. Nick’s symphonic endeavors have included the Director of the Concert Percussion Ensemble at North Lincoln, receiving consistent Superior ratings in regional Solo and Ensemble Festivals. Other consultant endeavors include the BOA Finalists Cape Fear High School, Alleghany High School, West Craven High School and New Bern High School marching bands.
Nick currently lives in New Bern, NC with his wife, Laura, and their dog, Murphy.