Nikk Pilato is a conductor, arranger, musician, and designer, born in Rochester, New York, and raised in South Florida. He received the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Master of Music Education (M.M.E.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Music Education from the Florida State University College of Music in Tallahassee, Florida, where he studied Euphonium with Paul Ebbers, and conducting with Professor Richard Clary, Dr. Patrick Dunnigan, and Dr. Jim Croft. During his tenure at Florida State, Nikk served as Principal Euphonium in the University's Wind Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band, as well as the community band, The Tallahassee Winds. In addition, Nikk was an assistant conductor with the Wind Orchestra, the Symphonic Band, the Campus Band, and the Chamber Winds, and wrote drill and music for the University Marching Chiefs.
Before returning to FSU for doctoral work, Nikk was Director of Orchestras and Co-Director of Bands at J.P. Taravella High School, in Coral Springs, Florida. During that time, the Taravella Music Department saw a surge in enrollment and retention, growing from 170 members to over 250 members in the Band program, and from 30 members to over 100 members in the Orchestra. The Taravella Wind Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Fusion Ensemble, String Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra all earned Superior ratings under his baton, and the J.P. Taravella Music Department was designated a Grammy™ Signature School for "Excellence in Music Education." Other honors include an invitation to perform at the prestigious Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in 2004, an appearance on NBC's "The Today Show" with Al Roker, and several "Grand Championships" at both concert and marching festivals. Prior to his engagement at Taravella, Nikk was Director of Bands at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
From 1991 to 1993, Nikk marched Lead Baritone with the Phantom Regiment drum and bugle corps from Rockford/Loves Park, Illinois, winning two DCM Individual and Ensemble Baritone titles. In 1994 he was honored to serve as one of the corps' Drum Majors. While a member of Regiment, Nikk learned drill design techniques from John Brazale and Tony Hall. From 1995 to 2002 Nikk wrote a popular column for Drum Corps World about life on the road called "Nikk Nakks," which is where the name of the website (and subsequently, the company) came from.
Currently Nikk is on the faculty of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, and keeps busy with multiple composition, transcription, and engraving projects. When not teaching, designing drill, or arranging music, Nikk enjoys spending time watching college football (go Dawgs and Noles!), Major League Baseball (go Yankees!), and reading everything he can get a hold of, from Gunther Schuller to Stephen King.