by Zach Manzi
Matt Nichols is a difficult man to introduce—not because he is uninteresting, but because it’s challenging to find the words to describe someone as simultaneously talented, hilarious, kind, energetic, and dedicated as Matt. Whenever I need a laugh, I look back to the percussion section, where Matt is always looking for an opportunity to make someone smile. A performer around South Florida and teacher at Florida Atlantic University, Matt is a goofy, authentic guy who just wants other people to have a good time. I’m going to stop writing now and let Matt tell you a little more about himself.
ZM: Hello!
MN: Zach, how are you?
ZM: Great, how is the semester going?
MN: Oh, you know, we’re hanging in there. It never ceases to amaze me how the same reminders have to be brought up about mindfulness and time management. That’s the thing, almost every week!
ZM: I feel that. This time of year seems especially busy, across the board. Well, I appreciate you taking the time to talk. Derek [Wallace] requested you specifically, and I am so glad it’s you. Usually I get stressed out about these interviews, but you’re so chill.
MN: There’s nothing stressful about me.
ZM: Agreed. So, can we start with how and when you got involved with Nu Deco?
MN: Yeah, so Svet [U. Miami Percussion Professor & Nu Deco percussionist] called me—I think it was the summer between my first and second year in my masters at UM. He told me there was this group starting up, and it was gonna be awesome. He asked me if I was available during the summer. I was so stressed in the middle of the degree and had literally, just the week before, told myself that I was going home to Virginia for a month, that I would work at home and re-energize. Usually what happens with other groups is that when you say no, they put you at the bottom of the list. But sure enough, a year and a half later, I was living in Boca and they needed a sub. I played a couple sessions with Bilal, which I guess what three seasons ago. I just came in for a couple shows, and I guess they enjoyed having me enough.
ZM: We’re glad you made it a priority because it wouldn’t be the same without you.
MN: Oh, thank you. It’s often the shining moment of my week to be with everybody there.
ZM: That’s really sweet! So you were doing a degree at UM, bouncing around, and you’re from Virginia, right?
MN: Correct.
ZM: How did you get involved in music when you were younger?
MN: So, to clarify, I’m an Alabaman.
ZM: Oh!
MN: I don’t know if I should be proud of that, but I am.
ZM: You and Gabriel Beavers [Nu Deco bassoonist]!
MN: Exactly, and we are not from the same generation, so to speak, but he grew up in a town called Hartselle and I’m from a town called Huntsville. They are very close to each other, so we’re both cut from the same cloth. We bounced around because of my dad’s work opportunities until we eventually made it to Virginia. Before Virginia, when we were living in Mississippi, my brother was playing music in high school, and he had a drum set. And I remember he wouldn’t let me play the drum set. But whenever he would go hang out with his friends, I would ask my mom if I could go in and play Josh’s drum set, and she would let me sneak upstairs. It had silent pads on it, so I could play it for a little bit. My brother eventually found out and gave me a practice pad and a pair of drum sticks for Christmas. I was just messing around with that. Then we moved to Virginia, and I started in band as a seventh grader. I remember my band director said, “You sure you want to start on percussion? It’s really hard and you’re a year behind.” I said I wanted to try because the only other instrument I liked was clarinet. He said that maybe I should play clarinet. I was like, let me try and if it doesn’t work out…
ZM: Clarinet is a total backup instrument.
MN: Yeah because that’s obviously an easier instrument than percussion, according to my band director.
ZM: Of course!
MN: It was funny because I’ve dabbled in clarinet, and I never understood the concept of having to use your breath. I can breathe normally when I’m playing percussion, and then all of a sudden I’m getting lightheaded and thinking, how am I supposed to play this whole piece?
ZM: Honestly, I have the same struggle, so if someone can figure that out, they should let both of us know.
MN: Yes, absolutely! So, yeah, I ended up sticking with percussion and really enjoying it. I took private lessons with a couple different people, and throughout high school I just realized I didn’t really want to do anything else. And then, I went to Virginia Commonwealth for my undergraduate degree. It was about 15 minutes from where I was living, and I had already started studying with the teacher there when I was in high school. I didn’t apply anywhere else, I knew I wanted to keep studying with him. In my undergrad, I was trying to get as much exposure as I could. I wanted to play, and I was having fun trying all of these different things––trying to do the orchestral thing, jazz, and chamber music. I realized all of those things are hard to do on their own. Then, I came to Miami to audition for grad school. I think it was right after I’d gone to the University of Michigan, where there was five feet of snow on the side of the street. I saw palm trees and the beach, and I was like, obviously I am not going to where there is snow. I would have enjoyed the snow if I had to, but I ended up liking the atmosphere and the fact that I could study with Svet and Matt Strauss, getting both the orchestral as well as the solo and chamber music background.
ZM: And you’re still here!
MN: Yes, I was fortunate to find things in South Florida so that I didn’t have to go too far away.
ZM: And you’re teaching a lot now, in addition to playing?
MN: Yes, the opportunity came up for me to put my name in the hat for a teaching job in Boca. I am very thankful I got an audition and then the position up here at FAU [Florida Atlantic University].
ZM: What’s the most wonderful thing about bring a teacher, and then what’s the most challenging thing?
MN: Sure. I think the most rewarding thing is the “a-ha!” moments. I’ve never been a spoon-feeder, and I definitely don’t want to cripple students by making them feel like they’re stuck with no resources once they graduate. Part of the time we spend teaching, part of the teaching process, is learning how to make decisions. So, when I have students who discover things, those moments give me hope. Sometimes you never know if the person you’re teaching could be the next hotshot! The challenge, for me, would be figuring out the balance. I’m not teaching at Juilliard or UM or places that have a reputation of pushing to the limit. I have a bit of a challenge helping them realize that the next step of their life is on them. The truth is that you don’t have to go to a top-tier school to get the kind of training that you need to be successful. Before I got my masters, I was going to a school in the middle of Richmond. The plan was, if I didn’t get into a masters program, I would just freelance around Virginia. I thought that program allowed me to be prepared for that. So with this next generation of musicians coming through my influence, I want to make sure that they are able to understand what it takes to be successful and what it’s like out there in the professional world, before they get stuck with a degree and don’t know what to do with it.
ZM: Yeah, it sounds like no matter what school you go to, it’s a valuable lesson to learn that isn’t often taught.
MN: Yeah, I think the teachers at top-tier schools have it built in. They had to work hard to get where they are, so they instill that drive into their students. I was like, I want to make sure that I can do something as well. I definitely don’t have my name on a roster of some big school, or my name on the side of a marimba.
ZM: You don’t have your name on a marimba yet, but anything is possible, right?
MN: I mean, I’ve got a sharpie, there’s no one saying I can’t just have my name on it now.
ZM: And isn’t that the same thing in the end? It’s just a name on the side of an instrument.
MN: That’s exactly right.
ZM: Those are great insights. I want to ask you, the last thing: do you have a favorite Nu Deco moment?
MN: A couple of memories I’m really excited about, looking back on them, have to do with the guest artists I recognized before I looked them up. Cory Henry I knew, and Jacob Collier I knew. I had been geeking out on Jacob’s music. My brother and I, he’s also still a musician, were constantly going and figuring out Jacob’s new material, whenever it came out. We would get lost in his musical ideas. So when, all of a sudden, Nu Deco got him to come play with us, I peed myself first, and then when I cleaned that up, I told my brother, and we made sure that he was able to come to the concert to experience that opportunity, which was super great.
ZM: That’s super cool!
MN: That’s my marketing strategy when I talk to people about Nu Deco, if you get the chance to come to a show, regardless of whether or not you recognize the music, you’re going to have an awesome experience. It’s this opportunity to get lost in someone’s music in a way that you’ve never experienced before. I think it’s super unique and super authentic. That’s why I keep coming back.
ZM: I love that; amazing words. Thank you. Unless you have anything else burning…
MN: The only burning thing I have to say is thank you for doing this!
ZM: Of course. You are a unique contribution to our group; it would not be the same without you.
MN: Make sure you get a comment from Jacomo about how he feels about my eye contact…
ZM: [laughing]
MN: …as a form of communication in musical moments.
ZM: I think he would put in a statement for you.
MN: If not, then I’d like to say, as a member of the ensemble, that I enjoy that I get to have the opportunity of sharing musical moments with Jacomo. When I have the unique and authentic pleasure of connecting with him as contributor to the musical dynamic of a moment in our performances, through our eye contact, and our genuine connection, it makes me feel very humbled to be in that divine experience with him.
ZM: And I am sure he feels the same way.
MN: I am 120% certain the feeling is mutual.
ZM: We can definitely confirm with him.
MN: Thank you so much, Zach. Have a good one.
ZM: Yep, have a good day and see you soon!