Austin Nicholas has been Director of Bands at North Stafford High School since 2008. Prior to North Stafford, he spent one year as Director of Bands at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virgina. After graduating from West Point High School in West Point, Virginia, he received his Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Instrumental Music Education and Applied Trombone from James Madison University. His primary teacher was Dr. Andrew Lankford, Professor of Trombone, James Madison University. Mr. Nicholas is active in music education throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
While attending Madison, Mr. Nicholas performed with numerous ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Trombone Choir, Trombone Quartet, Pep Band, as well as the Sudler Trophy Recipient Marching Royal Dukes. Mr. Nicholas earned a leadership position with the Marching Royal Dukes early in his career at JMU and maintained it for three seasons.
While at JMU, Mr. Nicholas performed with internationally renowned musicians including Trumpeters Allen Vizzutti and Vince DiMartino, Scottish Baritone soloist Katrina Marzella, and Tenor Horn soloist Sheona White. In addition to these performance experiences, Mr. Nicholas was an active participant in masterclasses presented by Dr. Andrew Lankford, Navy Bass Trombonist Matt Neff, and world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops Orchestra Bass Trombonist Douglas Yeo. As a performer, Mr. Nicholas has had the privilege and honor to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference on three separate occasions, The Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, and The Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky among others. He is an active member of MENC, VMEA & VBODA. Mr. Nicholas is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, fraternity for men in music.