Shane Nickels

Patriots Fife and Drum Corps
Ensemble Co-Director
Drum Instructor

Green Machine Ensembles

Email: mnickels@gmu.edu

Shane Nickels joined The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps as a Snare Drum Musician in 2013.  Prior to joining the unit, Shane performed as a snare drummer in DCI and other professional groups including The Bluecoats, The Troopers, and the Kansas City Chiefs drumline.  As an educator, Nickels was the battery instructor for The University of Kansas Marching Jayhawks for two years and has given numerous clinics to private studios, high schools, and colleges throughout the country.

In addition to rudimental percussion, Nickels is an orchestral percussionist, having performed with the Debut Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, and the Mariinsky Orchestra.  He was also a fellow at Music Academy of the West studying under Mike Werner and Ted Atkatz, as well as playing at the Tanglewood Music Festival.

Shane received an undergraduate and master’s degree at the University of Kansas under Kevin Bobo and Ji Hye Jung.  Nickels then went on to receive an artist diploma at the University of Southern California under Jim Babor and Joe Pereira of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Outside of music, Shane enjoys spending time with his family, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, lifting weights, and drinking coffee.