Artist Profile: Nick Austin

Artist Profile: Nick Austin
Nick has been taking lessons at our studio with Roy King for nearly 3 years now and has been playing the drums since he  was 4 years old!  Now a freshman in high school Nick has participated in the Tri-C High School Rock Off at The House Of Blues 3 times with his band Copykat Crisis.  In his drum studies he has expanded into afro-cuban and jazz rhythms.  He has also been working on producing some techno music on the side.
How long have you been playing drums? 

 I first picked up the sticks when I was 4 years old. I played consistently for a few years then I was a bit on and off with playing around the age of 9. My interest was re-sparked by avenged sevenfold when I was 11 years old and I have been working hard since then.

Which performance at the rock off was your favorite?

I've enjoyed all of my experiences at the rock off. All of the staff are friendly and willing to help, and it's always fun. I have to say my favorite experience was my second year there. The crowd turn out was strong and I felt that our setlist gave me the opportunity to get to play on the intricate side of things at points and at other times it let me relax and keep the pocket flowing. This year certainly had it's improvements, but I think the year before was much more enjoyable.

What does your kit consist of? Do you like an elaborate set up or are you more of a minimalist?

at the moment, my drumset consists of 3 crashes, a pair of hihats, a splash cymbal, an effect cymbal, 2 chinas, and a ride when it comes to cymbals. I have 5 toms and a bass drum that are all DW collector's series, and 2 snares. Both the snares are made by Pearl drums, one being a Jimmy Degrasso signature brass snare, and the other being a Joey Jordison signature piccolo snare. I like to switch up between a minimalist setup and a more elaborate set up. One reason for that is that Since I'm a more stylistically versatile player, I can never really find a "perfect" set up. The other reason is I find more topical uses for everything on a larger kit after working on a minimal kit, and I use more parts of what is set up on a minimal kit after playing a larger kit.

How long have you been taking drum lessons with Roy King, and what have you been studying recently?

I have been taking lessons with Roy for roughly 2 1/2 years now. Recently, I've been studying Afro-Cuban drumset, jazz, and drumset coordination.

Tell us a little about some of the techno music that you've been producing lately.

 I've been recently dabbling trance and dubstep. Ever since I had seen Pinn Panelle's live cover of Skrillex's "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites", I've been very interested in the whole fusion of rock and dubstep. I'm hoping to develop a better understanding of dubstep so I can properly integrated with other styles that I'm already familiar with. It's been quite tough so far, but I've been having a blast with it. It's a whole different side of music than drums and I think that's what I like most about it.

Students Of The Month March 2012

Ian Henry

Ian Henry is no stranger to music. Playing violin and piano for over 5 years and coming from a musical family, you can say it is in his blood. Ian approaches every lesson prepared and eager to learn while perusing to understand styles of music relating to the bass guitar. What impresses me is his sense of timing and his ear for “the groove”.  I’m proud to select him as my student of the month.

Mike Edwards

Jacy Paterson

Jacy has been studying with me for over a year, and since then he has made leaps and bounds on his instrument.  With his reading and playing skills at such a high level, he has been a dream to teach.  I know that he will do great things on the drum set.

Jim Curtis

Jared Tripodi

Jared began taking guitar lessons with me the summer following his seventh grade year.  Now a junior in high school, he has worked consistently on his playing and musicianship.  In four years he has gone from beginning method books to some of the most challenging music in modern rock guitar.  Throughout his studies he has been highly self-motivated and his lessons have become increasingly student directed. Jared sets high goals for himself and works diligently to improve.  I am pleased to select him as my first student of the month.

Mike McClosky

Fiona Boden

It is always a treat when a student truly embraces learning their instrument. Fiona has welcomed being challenged with difficult concepts, as well as being a test pilot for new approaches to standard techniques. She is eager to learn and puts a tremendous amount of energy into becoming a better player. What a fun person to work with every week!

Cathy Miller

Ian Nemerovsky

               Ian Nemerovsky is the Brass Student of the Month for the March.  He is a seventh grader at Claggett Middle School. He has been taking lessons since September of 2010.  He plays trombone.  He was a more reserved student when he first started taking lessons, but he is now more open and involved.  He comes to his lesson with attitude of learning something new.  He started in band in 5th grade. He is currently involved in band and jazz band. He was selected as 6th grader to join the middle school jazz band and attend middle school summer honors band.

Angela White

 

Emily Boccio

The woodwind student of the month for March is Emily Boccio.  Emily, a sixth grader at A.I. Root, began taking lessons in August of 2011 and has accomplished so much in such a short time.  She has learned a large quantity of music, much of which she took the initiative to find and choose herself. Emily's determination helps her reach her music goals such as learning her favorite Christmas songs and completing her first lesson book.  

Emily comes to every lesson with a positive attitude and is enthusiastic about completing her day's tasks.  She works hard during each lesson and will ensure she understands new concepts and pieces before she leaves.  Through her mastery of beginning clarinet technique and weekly exercises, it is evident that Emily practices deliberately and diligently every week.  I am very proud of the work Emily has already accomplished and look forward to seeing where her enthusiasm and work ethic take her.

Jessie Rowe

 

Olivia Phillips

The piano student of the month for March is 10 year old Olivia Phillips.  Olivia is in the 4^th grade at Heritage Elementary and started piano lessons in October 2011. Olivia always comes to her lesson well prepared and is progressing rapidly.  Because of her hard work both at home and during her lesson time she is very deserving of Student of the Month.

Artist Spotlight: Cathy Miller & Jim Gill

Artist Spotlight:

Cathy Miller & Jim Gill

 We are very pleased to introduce to you two of the hardest working musicians in the area.  We are equally pleased to enjoy Cathy's talents on our teaching staff here at the store.  Cathy and Jim play extensively at many area clubs and venues including right across the street from our store at Sully's.  They can also be seen playing on the square and many other outdoor venues in the summertime. For their concert schedule, and to hear their music visit:

 cathymillermusic.com

jimgillmusic.com

1. You both performed solo before forming this duo, how did you two
 meet up, and what inspired you to put the two acts together?

Jim and I met at a show in Lakewood at The Winchester Music Hall when he opened for a band I was in. I really liked what he was doing, and he liked my sound too. We started playing together the very next week (at Sully's in Medina) in July 2010, and it took off from there. Since then, we have released four cds together.

 2. I know that you guys have the opportunity to play in a lot of
 concert settings, but when you are playing in a club setting how do you
 keep a balance between what you want to play, and what the audience
 expects to hear?

We work very hard to read the room and determine what style and pacing is most likely to be received well. Most of the covers that we play we have chosen because they are something that we both enjoy. We always cherish the opportunity to play for an attentive audience, but when we are in a noisy bar, we work to engage as many tables and patrons as we can. Sometimes this means pulling out those tunes that everybody expects to hear, but with a different sort of twist. 

 3. You both look very comfortable when you perform, do you have any
 tips for those who struggle with performance anxiety?

Comfort comes with repetition. The more often you put yourself out in front of people, the more you become accustomed to how that feels. You also develop means of coping with the anxiety that sometimes comes along with performance. If you have severe performance anxiety, it's likely due to a fear of feeling as though you are going to fail. You have to give yourself permission to not be perfect every time -- and then work towards being better the next time you get up there.  

 4. As working musicians, do you have any words of encouragement for
 artists that feel like there's no money in music?

If you are going into music to make millions, you will be sorely disappointed. I make the majority of my income teaching, and gigs help to augment that. You have to be willing to work in a variety of environments, including performing school programs and playing gigs that may not be the most fulfilling, but make the rent. 

 5. What's your most memorable performance?

That can be taken two ways -- the best or the worst. The worst that we played together had to be the performance in a parking lot with a Ford parked right in front of our "stage". 

As for best, I'd have to say our concert in Medina Square this past summer may have been one of our best. We both played extremely well, it was a beautiful day, and we got to play outdoors in a gorgeous setting for an attentive audience. It was also recorded by Armstrong Cable and played on the local cable channel for a few months. That was a lovely show.

February Students of the Month

Kaleigh Reed

            The piano student for the month of February is 7 year old Kaleigh Reed.  Kaleigh is in the 2nd grade at Ella Canavan Elementary

and started piano lessons in October,  2011.   In that short time

Kaleigh has progressed rapidly and is already playing melody/counter-melody pieces that are written for students who have been studying at

the very least 9 to 10 months. Because of her hard work both

at home and during her lesson time she is very deserving of Student

of the Month.

Brooke Loftis

Brooke approaches each week with excitement and a willingness to work hard, both in lessons and during her practice at home. She has progressed quickly and is now beginning to step into the world of fiddle music after only playing the violin for a short time. Her enthusiasm and upbeat approach makes her a pleasure to work with, and a blossoming player. I look forward to seeing where her talents will take her!

Meghan Burkhardt

Meghan has been studying with me since the August of 2011.  She is thirteen years old and is a 7^th grader at A.I. Root Middle School.  She started in 5^th grade band, took a year off and returned to band this school year.  Meghan participated in the annual Woodsy’s student recital and is looking forward to going to Solo and Ensemble contest.  She is a hard worker and makes time to practice in addition to participating in the jazz ensemble and concert band at school.  She looks forward to playing in the MHS marching band in two years.

Jurni Harmon

            Jurni is a freshman at Cloverleaf High School. She has being taking lessons since September of 2010. She is being recognized for her outstanding attitude and dedication that she puts forth in making herself a better trumpet player. She comes to her lesson eager to make the best out of every lesson. This has helped her in receiving consecutive “superior” ratings (the highest rating) at OMEA Solo & Ensemble Contest for the past two years. She was also chosen to play the trumpet solo during Cloverleaf’s competitive marching band show.  She is currently working on Sigmund Herring Technical Studies, the Clark Studies, and the Hornpipe duet.

 

Jack Kula

Jack's story is a common one and one that I experienced first-hand as a beginner 14 years ago.  He came to me with the intent of being a lead guitarist.  Many of the students who have that desire can be quite averse to practicing chords and strumming patterns.  Try as I might, it is difficult to impress upon these students the importance of developing really solid rhythm guitar skills.  Most of the fundamental techniques required to play great lead guitar are developed significantly through a thorough understanding and ability with the basics of rhythm guitar playing.  Not only that, but lead guitarists only fulfill their role a small portion of the time they are performing.  The rest of the time, they themselves are rhythm guitarists.

Once a student has developed some comfort with a certain aspect of their playing, they want to practice what they are already good at and it becomes even more difficult for them to develop the weaker aspects of their playing.  Jack seems to have had an epiphany recently.  He has shown a lot of interest in addressing the short comings in his playing.  This is an incredibly difficult thing to do, but is a common trait of great guitarists.  Not only has Jack been able to make progress on his rhythm guitar playing, but he has also shown an admirable interest in the theory homework that so few students are willing to take on.  Jack has displayed a passion for the instrument and the guitar culture since the moment he started taking lessons with me.  Now that I am recognizing his willingness to become a well rounded player, I am incredibly optimistic about the growth he will experience in the future and about what creative accomplishments he seems destined to have.

 

Corbin Cerny

As this is the first Student of the Month, I'd like to say that this program is not a competition, but rather a chance to acknowledge a student who has gone above and beyond to further  their own personal progress. 

February’s percussion Student of the Month is Corbin Cerny. Corbin never backs down from a challenge. Corbin chose a Class A (advanced- difficult) snare drum solo to play at this year’s Solo and Ensemble contest. The hours and effort Corbin put in to get his solo and rudiments ready were many. No matter what rating Corbin gets from the judge at the contest, Corbin gets a Superior rating from me, for the effort and perseverance it took to get his technique to a point where he could play his solo with confidence, and musicality.  Corbin Cerny is a freshman at Medina High School.

 Roy King,

Percussion Instructor

Madison Marple

My choice for student of the month this February is Madison Marple.  Madison consistently puts forth good effort and focus both in lesson and on her weekly assignments.  She is always prepared and has near perfect attendance. Taking lessons since only July she is already applying her studies to performance.  She earned the opening spot in her school's talent show in her first audition, choosing to play the Star Spangled Banner on the acoustic guitar.  I'm very proud of Madison's growth and know she will continue to do great things with her talent.