#451 Nick Costa- Drummer, Educator, Clinician and More!
This week’s guest is Nick Costa! Nick is a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) educator based out of Philadelphia, the Commerical Music content representative for the PA Music Educators Association (PMEA), the Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, and a member of the Percussive Arts Society’s Drum Set Committee. He is also an independent drummer, clinician, and drum technician with both national and international touring experience. Nick has focused on providing ways to integrate drum set studies into K-12 Music curriculum, and is an active session musician engineering and recording drum tracks remotely from his studio.
As an educator, Nick has focused on providing ways to integrate drum set studies into k-12 music curriculum to bridge the gap between general and instrumental music studies. He has also played a pivotal role in integrating “Modern Band” curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia by creating relationships with Conn-Selmer, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo Heads to outsource all 220 schools with drum sets. The School District of Philadelphia’s music education model is what motivated the Pennsylvania Department of Education to create and implement “Modern Band” into the State’s music curriculum. Nick is assisting with drum set content as the curriculum is implemented throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Nick has written and recorded lessons for Modern Drummer Magazine, MusicProfessor.com, Zildjian, and the Percussive Arts Society’s Rhythm!Scene blog.“
As a performer, Nick is actively performing throughout the Philadelphia region with various groups ranging from rock, to jazz trios and big bands, to being a first call musician for local theater groups and schools for their annual musicals. Nick was also a candidate for the Mamma Mia and Green Day’s American Idiot National Broadway Tours. Currently, Nick has been active as a session musician recording and engineering drum tracks remotely for various artists including Shane Henderson (Valencia), and MAHANA (Iranian Pop star on NAVAHANG records)
Nick teaches privately, has facilitated workshops teaching underprivileged kids about music, and has been praised by numerous producers including Mike Watts (The Dear Hunter, Story of the Year) Steve Haigler (Brand New’s Deja Entendu, Fuel’s Sunburn, The Pixies), Jason Elgin (Collective Soul, Terrible Things), Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday, The Color Fred), John Naclerio (Brand New, My Chemical Romance) and Eric Plesha (Cobra Starship, Valencia) for his consistency and energy while recording.
Nick is an educational artist for Ludwig Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo drumheads, Gator Cases, Canopus Drums (accessories), and Prologix Percussion. Additionally, Nick proudly endorses GoPro.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Dave LeBlanc! Dave is a musician currently living in New York City. He was born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. He attended college at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. He began playing drums when he was eight years old. Both his father and grandfather were drummers. His Dad was sick in the hospital with cancer when David found his inspiration to play the drums and gave his first live performance at the fourth grade talent show. He was just nine years old when his dad passed away. From that moment on playing the drums came very natural to him and is a way for him to stay connected with his dad. Recently David has performed with his original project The Evin Baird Trio, various cover groups, and the Interlakes Summer Theatre in Meredith New Hampshire. He would like to thank his family, especially his Mom, for their continued support as he achieves his dreams.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Brian Prokop! Brian is a musician/educator in the northern NJ and NYC area who has been playing drums for over 30 years.
Brian started out with just a practice pad and a pair of sticks, but it wasn’t long before his parents decided to support his new interest by purchasing him a drum set. He began taking lessons at the age of nine.
In high school, Brian was a member of all the school ensembles (concert band, marching band, jazz band) and played with many local groups.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Patterson University in New Jersey, Brian made the decision to re-focus his energy towards music and drumming, taking lessons with top players and educators, including Darren Patrick, Jay Dittamo, Ron Thaler, Joe Bergamini and Ignacio Berroa
Brian loves to share his passion for music and drumming with students of all ages and ability levels. His work as a private instructor has instilled a continuing appreciation of music and the arts in his students. His ability to communicate musical concepts and techniques effectively is evident in his ever-growing presence in musical performances and programs throughout the community. Brian’s students have been accepted into county & region ensembles as well as college & university music programs.
Happy Birthday to friend of the show MSG Mark Reilly! Master Sargent Mark Reilly Mark is considered by many to be one of the foremost military music connectors in the world. As an internationally recognised performer, speaker, educator, and consultant, Mark’s experience has allowed him to travel the world extensively working at the state and royal level. He most recently served as the Acting Commander for the United States Army “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps and previously served as Corps Sergeant Major, Drum Group Leader, Snare Drum Section Leader, and Percussion Arranger for the Corps. Mark is also a proud alumnus of the world-famous Top-Secret Drum Corps from Basel, Switzerland and his newest endeavour, The Washington Tattoo aims to bring a world-class international music and arts festival to the Washington, DC metro area. -Read More
Happy Birthday to friend of the show Matt Hankle! Matt grew up in a musical family in Teaneck, NJ, surrounded by professional musicians. Real life music lessons from attending his parents gigs, private lessons from extraordinary local NYC freelancers, combined with constant heavy doses of MTV, the radio and his fathers select record collection, kept Matt immersed in a wide variety of styles he embraced and grew to function in fluidly and naturally. In the mid/late 90’s, Matt toured the US and Mexico with Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus, toured Europe with different World/Jazz artists and attended the University of Miami where he performed with their esteemed Concert Jazz Band. In the 2000’s while living in Brooklyn, NY, Matt played for several Broadway Musicals(NYC) including Chicago, Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Rock of Ages. He toured/recorded with guitarist Kaki King (2006-2010), backed several legendary Singer/Comedy acts at The Theatre at Westbury(Long Island) and started a long performing relationship with the Blue Man Group(2003). Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2013, Matt has toured/gigged/recorded with Soul Asylum, Vonda Sheppard, Tom Morello, Jonny Polonsky, Knee High Fox, John Fogerty and a variety of other bands/artists. He performed a limited run of Mamma Mia at The Hollywood Bowl(2017) and has recorded for several motion pictures. Most recently Matt completed a 1 year tour of Europe & Asia with the Blue Man Group WORLD TOUR. In addition he has recorded with his own bands and has released or is currently releasing new Rock n’ Roll music from Vagabond Society and new Fusion music from Audio Collision.
Happy Birthday to Ricardo “Tiki” Pasillas. “Tiki” is multi-talented. He is a drummer, multi-percussionist, and vocalist, who has been performing professionally in Los Angeles for the past 16 years. Born in Oakland California on August 17, 1968, Ricardo is commonly known as 'Tiki'. The nickname was bestowed on him during childhood by his older cousin Jesus (aka Pipo) because pronouncing Ricardo or Ricky was rather difficult for Pipo. The nickname stuck and Ricardo has been called 'Tiki' ever since.
After playing semi-professionally in the Bay Area, Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas moved to Hollywood to attend Musician's Institute. While there he was the recipient of the Latin Stylist Award. Tiki joined a top 40 band called Paper Doll. He played drums and sang with this group five nights a week. Says Tiki "I learned how to use my diaphragm because I had to play drums and belt out the lead vocals at the same time". He dedicated the rest of the year to finishing at MI. Upon finishing, Tiki started to teach there. Word of mouth took its rounds and gave him work. "When Lambada came out it gave me quite a bit of work Ha Ha, but it's true." Tiki started playing in the Brazilian community with fresh new talent from Brazil such as Katia Moraes who asked Tiki to help her in putting together a new band called The Rio Thing. They were a smokin' little Samba band that dissipated just in time for Tiki to make himself available to the Latin bands of Los Angeles. Son Mayor, a group fronted by the brothers Ortiz, was Tiki's first solid salsa band experience. With Alfred Ortiz close to him, they both learned a variety from each other for years to come. Working for a variety of employers, including Susie Hansen one of the hardest working band leaders, started Tiki's upward spiral into the music scene with musicians such as Buddy Rich's bassist Curtis Olsen, Alex Acuña, Justo Almario, and Abraham LaBoriel just to name a few.
Happy birthday to friend of the show Geneva Harrison. Geneva is a freelance percussionist/drummer, and multi-disciplined artist primarily based in Oakland, CA. She has toured extensively over the years with her band Bells Atlas and WNYC’s radio program Snap Judgment, for whom she also co-composes the scoring for their live show. Most recently she has joined the Magik*Magik Orchestra, supporting Pop-Up Magazine.
With over 15 years of professional experience, Geneva has collaborated, performed and recorded with numerous talents, from composers Terence Blanchard and Van Dyke Parks, to choreographer Sonya Tayeh, as well indie artists Poolside, Mirah and Y La Bamba. She’s had the privilege to play in esteemed and historic theaters and recording houses across the nation - echoing percussion under the roof of Carnegie Hall, and clamoring grungy rhythms beneath the drum chevron in the historic Studio B of United Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
Her expertise ranges a number of styles and contexts that include indie Pop and R&B, Off-Broadway Theater and Dance accompaniment, Contemporary Classical ensemble playing and Avant-Garde/Experimental improv. In 2016, Harrison served as Musical Director for a tribute to Björk’s Homogenic at The Independent in San Francisco, that included over 100 musicians covering the album, and later the following year even filled the role of producer for a music video shot in the desert of the Eastern Sierras. You can also find some of her custom drum-kit exercises, and additionally an interview feature in issues of Tom Tom Magazine.
Happy birthday to friend of the show Ed Toth. Ed is an American musician who currently plays drums for The Doobie Brothers. Toth joined the Doobies in 2005 following his departure from Vertical Horizon.
Always interested in music, Toth says that he has been drumming most of his life. He made good use of his father's record collection and was active in all music programs in East Lyme, Connecticut, playing in his high school band at East Lyme High School. He went on to the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1994. While still at school, Toth became a member of the funk/rock band Jennifer Culture.
Toth has played in numerous other rock and funk bands over the last decade. Most notably, he was a member of Vertical Horizon from 1996–2005. Toth's association with the group began when he was working at a Boston Borders Books; The mother of Vertical Horizon's lead singer and guitarist Matt Scannell, was shopping in the bookstore and asked Ed for a Vertical Horizon CD, which he had listened to and quite enjoyed. His enthusiasm for the recording impressed Scannell's mother so much that, in gratitude for the assistance she received at the store, she offered to put the bookstore manager and a friend on the guest list for a Vertical Horizon show at Mama Kin, an Aerosmith-owned nightclub, also in Boston. Toth went to the show as the manager's friend; and when the band had an opening for a drummer, Toth auditioned for the spot.
When the Doobie Brothers' drummer, Keith Knudsen, died of cancer in 2005; Toth was selected to fill his spot with the band. He has remained as drummer for the band, first in addition to Michael Hossack. After Hossack's untimely passing, Tony Pia was added, and after Pia's departure, Ed became the sole drummer in the band, and later percussionist Marc Quiñones joined the band after the passing of Gregg Allman. Ed has been influenced by Stewart Copeland, Neil Peart, Bill Bruford and a host of other virtuoso drummers. Toth has also produced some critically acclaimed albums and started a band called Cooper with his friend, Tim Bradshaw.
Happy Birthday to Darren Hazlett! Darren is currently the Battery Percussion Director and Arranger for the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band. He is a former arranger and educator of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. As a performer, he spent 7 years with the Crossmen (1992-1998) and was a cast member of the Broadway show Blast! (1999-2002). He is a marching percussion clinician for Vivace Production and is also a member of the Vic Firth Education team. Darren resides is southeastern Pa. with his family and works as a middle school band director.
And Happy Birthday to Host! Damon Grant!
Gig Alerts
There is a 100th Birthday Celebration for B.B. King in Memphis this September.
The D.C. Jazz Fest is happening in Washington D.C. from Aug 27th-31st. Friend of the show, Ivan Llanes will be there playing with Matthew Whitaker.
The Chicago Jazz Festival is happening in Chicago, IL from Aug 28th-31st.
The Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) Labor Day Experience is happening in Aspen, CO from Aug 29th-31st.
The Blue Note Jazz Festival presents the Black Radio Experience in Napa, CA from Aug 29th-31st.
Educational Spotlight
Friend of the show, Arthur Lipner came out with a Jazz Vibraphone transcription book! You can get this book at the Malletworks Website.
PASIC pricing will go up after September 2nd. Get your registration done and then book your hotel!
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording picked by Nick is, “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac from the album, ‘Rumours’. Friend of the show, Taku Hirano usually tours with them as the percussionist.
Music News
Rep. Rashida Talib is re-introducing the Living Wages for Musicians Act.
Artists like Emily Portman are perplexed by fraudsters releasing AI-generated music in their names and to their official catalogs. -Article
The FireAid controversy is continuing to intensify: Now, federal lawmakers are calling on Irving Azoff and his wife to provide “a detailed breakdown of all nonprofits that received money” from the benefit concert. -Article
Nick Costa Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Bluebird” by The Future Perfect with Nick on drums off the album with the same name.
Nick is the Vice President for the Pennsylvania chapter for PAS.
He met friend of the show, Mike Dawson through Master Crafted Drums and Modern Drummer Magazine.
They both attended the University for the Arts in Philadelphia (now closed).
Shout-out to the Winners of the 2025 PAS PA Chapter Rudimental Solo Competition!
Middle/High School Division Winner:
Brayden Zimmerman
Brayden submitted an excellent and musical performance of “Mean Man Matt” by Edward Freytag.
Collegiate Division Winner:
Brett Weigel
Brett submitted a commanding performance of the classic solo “Tornado” by Mitch Markovich.
Shout-out to Sean J. Kennedy and his book.
Nick talks about the University for the Arts and Marc Dicciani.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Dr. Chris Hanning.
Nick talks about his job description in the public school system.
Nick mentions his social media.
Nick spent a little time as a technician for Apple. He also taught at Villanova University.
He talks about his choice to be an educator first.
Nick talks about the importance of content creation and social media. Shout-out to friend of the show, J-Rod Sullivan.
Nick explains what the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is.
He talks about how he uses the skills he acquired in being certified for the NBPTS.
This is the recognition Nick mentions.
Damon mentions the NY Knicks beating the Philadelphia 76ers. Damon and Nick reference Allen Iverson.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Andy Moffatt and the Eagles drumline.
Shout-out to Matt Krause.
Nick is part of the leadership program with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. He talks about what he does with them with partnering with their STEAM initiative and commercial music.
Nick and Marc teach a graduate level drumset course at Westchester University.
Nick talks about health and wellness. Damon mentions the Dr. Andrew Hubberman.
Nick took some lessons with Dave Elitch.
Nick talks about one of his practice routines.
Nick talks about what he and Marc are going to present at this year’s PASIC50.
Nick talks about endorsements with drum companies and companies outside of the drum industry.
He mentions his guess the song series.
He talks about cameras that he uses.
Nick mentions the Space Between festival in Canada.
Nick mentions his favorite cheesesteak in the Philadelphia area.
Nick picks the iconic recording and Damon mentions THIS VIDEO.
Nick uses Ludwig Drums, ZIldjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo Drumheads, Gator Cases, ProLogix Percussion, Canopus Drums, and GoPro Cameras.
Shout-out to Marc Dicciani, Dave Elitch, Pat O’Shea, and Jim Paxon Sr.
Damon and Nick talk about the Alexander Technique, by Frederick Matthias Alexander. Nick mentions the book by Pedro de Alcantara. The book is called: Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique.
You can follow Nick on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “El Raval” by St. Brendan.
