Dr. Kevin A. Nichols, Associate Professor of Music at Western Illinois University, teaches applied percussion and percussion methods course, coach jazz combos, and is the Drumline coordinator for the Marching Leathernecks. Outside of WIU, he is active as a performer, director, clinician and adjudicator. In addition to presenting throughout the Mid-West and Southwest, he has done an educational residency in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Nichols is the Principal Percussionist with the Heartland Festival Orchestra. Additionally, he is a member of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and Knox Galesburg Symphony. Active on the drum set, he is a member of the resident faculty jazz combo, the Hopper Jazztet, as well as the Post6 Big Band, Peoria Heritage Ensemble, Lamoine Ramblers, and the rural rock band Iron Orchard.
Dr. Nichols received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa. He is an Educational Artist for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company, Vic Firth, and Remo, Inc.
Kevin Nichols
Western Illinois University
