Principal Percussionist with the San Francisco Symphony and Director of Percussion Studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Jake Nissly stops by to talk about both of his positions, the orchestral auditions process, his mentors, being versatile in many genres of percussion, and his experiences with the Detroit and Cleveland Symphonies (03:30), specifics about the Principal Percussion Duties and the excellence of Davies Symphony Hall (28:30), his teaching position and his recent commissioning projects (35:15), growing up in Iowa, having family in the arts, being a highly motivated young person, making early connections to Northwestern (IL) and percussion versatility (45:50), his undergrad years at Northwestern and studying with Michael Burritt (01:04:10), going to Juilliard (NYC), freelancing in New York, and eventually earning a spot in the New World Symphony (01:14:00), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on working with young composers, his personal commitment to physical and mental health and long-distance running all over the world, lots of great books, memorable Chicago Cubs moments in his life, coaching his son’s baseball team, and the excellence of Steve Reich (01:20:15).

Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films (01:58:40).

Jake Nissly links:

Jake’s SFCM page

Jake’s Vic Firth page

Jake’s Aspen Music Festival page

Losing Earth - Adam Schoenberg

Previous Podcast Guests Mentioned:

Will James in 2017

Steven Schick in 2025

Patti Niemi in 2018

Matthew Coley in 2021

Eric Hollenbeck in 2025