Paul Nieft, Jr, M.A. is a dedicated teacher and active performing musician with over forty years of experience. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, and a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Toledo and is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. His professional activities include touring extensively throughout the United States performing everything from jazz to funk to rock. Additionally, he was recognized by Walt Disney Enterprises in their “Disney’s American Teacher Award” program in June of 2000.
Mr. Nieft is also an author who has composed many articles for top music industry periodicals such as Modern Drummer and Rhythm and has written three textbooks for music education, Metadrumming Concepts, Volume 1 & 2 , and The Middle-Eastern Rhythm Book for Doumbek Drum, Volume 1.
In addition, he is a seasoned session veteran who has played on hundreds of jingles and recordings aired in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Recordings for NBC, CBS, and ABC National Broadcasting Companies, as well as major corporations such as Champion Spark Plug, Pizza Hut, Miller Brewing Company, Marco’s Pizza, The University of Toledo, The Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Organization, The American Dental Association, 21st Century Health Spa, The Toledo Zoo, The American Cancer Society, etc.
Mr. Nieft has also performed in the orchestra for professional Screen Actors Guild (New York City Chapter) theatrical productions of “Showboat”, “Tom Jones”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and “Mame”. He was also senior instructor and head of music education at Cliff Durdel’s Academy of Music for over thirty years. As head of music education Mr, Nieft directed the teaching staff in setting student policy, tuition rates and collection procedures.
Mr. Nieft’s areas of expertise include the drum set (jazz, rock, Latin, World and ethnic styles) and snare drum (contemporary rudimental style, the ancient European Swiss style, concert and symphonic styles). He is also an ethnomusicologist who has studied the hand drumming styles of many cultures including Cuba, Brazil, West Africa and the Arabic East. Mr. Nieft has undertaken studies in comparative ethnomusicology to glean out the fundamental building blocks (rhythm archetypes) of rhythms that are the foundations of all drumming styles. He has conducted ensemble classes and drum circles in various ethnic hand drumming styles.
Mr. Nieft brings over forty years of teaching experience to his students and stresses the importance of developing their own unique identity and creativity in their percussion studies. Drumming is an art and a great joy and these fundamental concepts are at the heart of his teaching program and are important additions to personal development on many levels.