Nick Costa

Nick Costa is a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) educator based out of Philadelphia, 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 and Drumset magazine. Finally, Nick teaches the only Graduate level drum set courses alongside Marc Dicciani, as they continue to help educators see why drum set is a core instrument in every music program.