Senior Spotlight: Nicholas Dierbeck, Percussion

What is your current AYPO ensemble?

Symphonic Orchestra (AYSO), Percussion Ensemble

What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?

AYSO and Percussion Ensemble for the 2025-2026 season (one year)

What college/university do you plan on attending this fall?

Virginia Tech

What do you hope to do after graduation or your more long-term goals?

I hope to get a fresh start while attending college and make progress towards a future career while keeping music as an active part of my daily routine. I plan on performing a senior recital down the road at Tech and would like to compose a marimba solo at some point in my life.

A favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?

Getting dinner with my fellow AYSO percussionists Sheal and Lee at Silver Diner after our last concert. The experience I've had at AYSO over the past year has given me a mix of fun and growth that is rare to find in any area. My connections with the people in my section made me look forward to every rehearsal, and the challenge of the music along with our great conductor has taught me so much in the way of orchestral percussion. I was given a lucky opportunity to be a part of this ensemble without following the standard procedure, and I am so thankful that I accepted it. I believe that this experience will serve me greatly on my music journey, and I would like to thank everyone that made it possible.

What musician, conductor, or orchestra inspires you and why?

Adam Tan is a marimbist, educator, and composer based in Australia who runs a YouTube channel dedicated to percussion with a special and unique focus on the marimba. Tan inspires me through his educational content which has been one of the largest sources of my personal growth as a marimbist. He has helped me improve in both a technical manner from his technique talks and exercises as well as a practical manner with mallet reviews and equipment advice. His videos have introduced me to the larger world of marimba that is not focused on in a normal percussion high school experience. Furthermore, his compositions are some of the most intriguing marimba works I have heard, and I look forward to learning some of them in the future.

Your advice for young musicians?

Practice. I know it sounds obvious and repetitive, but learn to love practicing. Use the internet or teachers you know to learn what to practice, and then spend as much time in the practice room as possible if you really want to excel.

Congratulations, Nicholas!