 Have you ever wondered what it takes to become one of the select few musicians to be chosen to travel around the country as a talented member of the pit orchestra for a national touring company of a Broadway musical? I had the pleasure of catching up with Russ Nyberg, ’01, a proud member of the Husky Band drumline from 1998 to 2001. A graduate of Bishop Blanchet High School here in Seattle, Russ now makes his home in New York City.
Q: Russ, can you tell everyone what you’ve been doing since graduating from the UW?
A: After graduating in 2001 with a BA/BM in Music Performance, I spent that summer taking lessons with Seattle Symphony percussionist, Ron Johnson. While on the job hunt, the idea of working on cruise ships sprang into my mind, and I decided to contact Carnival Cruise Lines about opportunities for a drummer. I auditioned over the phone and found myself on a plane to Miami to meet up with the MS Imagination in October of 2001. What I thought would be a three-month tour on the high seas ended up becoming a five-year career! I got the opportunity to work on eight of Carnival’s ships and travel all over the world—to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and most of the Caribbean.
In August of 2006, the time felt right to make the move to New York City and pursue my dream of freelancing and playing for Broadway shows. Since then, I have been extremely lucky to have played with a number of orchestral, jazz and band groups, as well as on US national tours of Peter Pan, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and currently with Chicago.
Q: How did you break into the profession as a professional drummer?
A: I played my first professional job at 16 as a sub drummer in a big band that played at the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, and private functions around the Seattle area. I was the youngest member in the band by probably 40 years! It was a great place to learn many different styles of music, like foxtrot, rumba and a beguine. In my UW years, I was freelancing outside of school for musical theater shows, orchestras, jazz groups and the occasional rock band. When I moved to New York, I immediately joined the Musician’s Union and made sure to get out and hear music every night and make some sort of connection with someone in the business. My first paid job, which was posted on Craigslist, was for the musical The Wild Party at Columbia University. They were in need of a drummer. From there, I began to meet people and establish friendships which led to meeting other musicians and musical directors in the city.
Q: What have been some of your biggest highlights of your career?
A: Touring with my current show, Chicago, has been a lot of fun for the past 4 years. It’s really the last show I ever thought I would be a part of, considering that it’s been running for 18 years now. We’ve had a wide variety of people starring in the show, including Tom Wopat, Jerry Springer, Christy Brinkley, Kevin Richardson, John O’Hurley and Elvis Stojko among others, and they have all been great people to work with. Chicago has really stood the test of time, and it’s been great to travel around the world with it and see some amazing places such as Tokyo and Dubai.
Q: Russ, did your years in the Husky Band play a role in developing your professional aspirations?
A: I think the big thing that HMB helped with was keeping me open-minded stylistically. Once in a while, I need to play something a little more “march-like” and I think I’m definitely more comfortable now when that presents itself. Also, developing a strong work ethic in band was a big plus.
Q: Do you plan to make this a long-term career, or do you see yourself moving on to something else down the road?
A: Ha-ha! At this point I think I’ve “drunk the Kool-Aid" so to speak! Being a freelance musician has its ups and downs, because work is never secure and a lot of it has dried up over the years. I really came into it late in the game as it’s more difficult than ever to break into the scene. That being said, I don’t think I would ever give it up and pursue something else—it’s too much of my identity at this stage in my life.
Q: What are a few of your fondest memories of the HMB?
A: The long-lasting friendships I’ve made with members of the band and staff, as well as the opportunity to go to the Rose Bowl in 2001. I also have a vivid funny memory of a very windy Friday night rehearsal. The wind was really gusting and it got underneath some of the old Husky Stadium AstroTurf that was loosely tacked down along the sidelines. It was lifted off the field and practically devoured a few of our members!
Q: What did you learn most from your Husky Band experience?
A: I think the big thing I learned was how to really prepare for something in a short time frame and still be able to perform in a professional manner, even if things are not always polished and perfect.
Q: What would all of the people you were in the band with be surprised to hear about you now?
A: I’ve visited 49 out of the 50 states. South Dakota, I’m coming for ya! |
