Nick Volz

Associate Professor Nick Volz joined the Loyola faculty in 2008. In addition to teaching applied lessons in Classical and Jazz Trumpet, he conducts the Loyola Brass Ensemble, teaches Brass Pedagogy to music education majors, coordinates and teaches Brass Chamber ensembles, and performs with both the Loyola Faculty Brass Quintet and Faculty Jazz Ensemble.

Dr. Volz has enjoyed a broad and diverse career as a performer and educator, growing up in New Orleans and performing throughout the world in a variety of musical contexts. As an active freelance musician, he performs regularly with a variety of groups, including the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis, and John Mahoney Big Band. He had the pleasure of touring extensively with the New Orleans-based original music group Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, and his performing and composing can be heard on their first four albums. He also spent several years performing and traveling with commercial groups, including Vivaz Latin band and electronic funk group Afroskull. Volz has worked professionally with a host of other artists, including Columbus Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Chicago Baroque Ensemble, Branford Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, John Ellis, Harry Connick Junior and many others.

He is a passionate educator who enjoys working with and performing with his students. He has been a clinician in trumpet studios and band rooms throughout the US and abroad, as well as a guest conductor for honor bands and honor jazz bands. Former Loyola students are thriving in their careers, performing in orchestras, military bands, jazz groups and commercial ensembles, as well as leading successful careers as music therapists, educators, and industry professionals. Loyola students have won competitions for both the International Trumpet Guild and National Trumpet Competition, and Volz has enjoyed bringing his student ensembles to perform regularly at the various professional conferences.

His radio and recording credits include working with a variety commercial artists, such as Dr. John, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra Junior, Run DMC, Sugar Ray, and Allen Toussaint. He also performed on the Grammy award-winning album Live at the Orpheum NOLA with the Lost Bayou Ramblers and the LPO.

Volz received his Doctorate in Brass Pedagogy and Literature from Indiana University, where he studied trumpet with Edmund Cord, John Rommel, and Joey Tartell. He received doctoral minors in Music Theory and Jazz Studies, and he was blessed to work with jazz mentors David Baker and Pat Harbison.

His previous faculty appointments include Southeastern Louisiana University, where he also earned his master’s degree in music performance, studied with Brian DePoy, taught trumpet lessons, and performed in the Faculty Brass Quintet. His Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Loyola University enabled him to study trumpet with Michael Bucalo and jazz with Clyde Kerr, Michael Pellera, Rex Richardson, and John Mahoney. He is grateful to have had additional study with Bill Adam, Barbara Butler, Ellis Marsalis, and Anthony Plog. When not performing or teaching, he enjoys adventures with his wife and two children.

Watch an interview with Nick Volz.