Kevin A. Nichols

Kevin A. Nichols, Assistant Professor of Percussion at Western Illinois University, teaches applied percussion, directs the percussion ensemble and is the Drumline Instructor/Arranger for the Marching Leathernecks. Outside of WIU, he is active as a performer, director, clinician and adjudicator in the Midwest.

Mr. Nichols performance accomplishments currently include membership in the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and participation in the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, and Galesburg Symphony Chorus. Active on the drum set, he has entertained audiences as part of various Jazz, Rock, and Latin groups throughout Illinois. In particular, he enjoys performing music of the Caribbean with the Trinidad Tripoli Steel band and Steel Express. His WIU performances include the Faculty Chamber Series and Summer Music Theatre.

As a director and clinician, Mr. Nichols is the former Director of the Central Illinois Youth Percussion Ensemble in Peoria, and has led Concert and Marching Percussion Ensembles throughout the State of Illinois. During the summer months, he is a Percussion Instructor as well as Jazz Band Director for the WIU Summer Music Camps. Mr. Nichols has also adjudicated events for I.H.S.A. and the I.M.E.A. All-State Convention.

Mr. Nichols is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Iowa. In addition, he holds two Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University, in Jazz Pedagogy and Percussion Performance, as well as a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University. His teachers include Dan Moore, Al Payson, Terry Applebaum and Robert Bankert.

Mr. Nichols is the current vice president for the Illinois Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, and is also a member of I.A.J.E., M.E.N.C., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Office Location: 111 Sallee Hall

Office Phone: 309/298-1235

Email: KA-Nichols1@wiu.edu