About Rickie Santiago

Nestor “Rickie” Santiago is graduate of Buchholz High School where he was a student of Paula Thornton, Vicki Nolan and Thomas Hurst. He attended the University of Florida and was in the studio of Dr. Ken Broadway. While there, Nestor was the principal percussionist for the University’s Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. David Waybright. Mr. Santiago has performed at the Midwest Clinic, the American Bandmasters Association convention as well as with the Gainesville Orchestra, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, and the American Chamber Winds. Nestor is an active educator in the Gainesville area, teaching percussion sectionals at many area middle and high schools as well as holding a private studio.

Under his direction, the Buchholz High School Percussion Ensemble has consistently earned superior ratings at the FBA District and State Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessments and has performed at the 2017 FMEA  Professional Development Conference, the 2018 McCormick Marimba Festival at the University of South Florida, the 2018 University of Florida Percussion Festival, and the Music for All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in 2020. Additionally, Mr. Santiago serves as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for Infinity Percussion, a consistent World Class Finalist at the WGI World Championships.  Mr. Santiago endorses Vic Firth, Mike Balter, and Zildjian as an Educational Artist.