158569095

Kevin Nichols, Assistant Professor of Percussion at Western Illinois University, teaches applied percussion and percussion methods course, coaches jazz combos, and is the Drumline Instructor/Arranger for the Marching Leathernecks. Outside of WIU, he is active as a performer, director, clinician and adjudicator throughout the Midwest. ----------------------------------------------------------- His latest venture is co-founding KnightFire, an independent indoor drumline in Macomb, IL. ----------------------------------------------------------- Kevin has been a featured performer with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and has participated in the University of Iowa Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, 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. He performs regularly with the Matt Warnock Trio and the Savoy Stompers. His WIU performances include solo recitals, the Faculty Chamber Series, and Summer Music Theatre; he is a founding member of the Hopper Jazztet. ---------------------------------------------------------- Kevin has completed the coursework towards a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Iowa. With his focus being composition for drumset written in the multi-percussion vein, he is interested in commissioning and performing original works for the instrument.