Powell native Monte Nickles has always been immersed in the music world, even from a young age. Whether it was learning the piano in first grade or experimenting with the new family stereo as a young boy, music was part of everyday life. In keeping with his passions, he studied music technology at Northwest College and soon after earned his bachelor’s in audio production from Webster University in 2016. Nickles currently lives in Columbus, Montana, and is the manager of audio and video at the Tippet Rise Art Center.

What initially sparked your interest in music? How has that interest evolved since you started your career?

Music has always been a huge part of my life from the time I was very little, thanks to my mother. We always had music playing at the house. My parents had an extensive CD collection. Plus, it was a house requirement that we all learn to play the piano, no matter how much we cried some days and begged not to practice. From there, I picked up the trumpet in middle school and didn’t put it down for years after. The different genres and styles that I learned through trumpet were so diverse and fun. During this time, I built an appreciation and interest in sound. It all came together when I started at NWC and they were just finishing the new recording studio installation. NWC Associate Professor of Music Robert Rumbolz, who I'd known for years, roped me into trying a few of those classes. They were the perfect blend of science, creativity and musical expression. I was all in and never looked back. Now, instead of performing, I place microphones, edit takes into full pieces, EQ and compress tracks, and help artists bring their visions to life.

What does your day-to-day look like at Tippet Rise?

One of the best things about working at Tippet Rise is that my day is never ever the same! I could be recording a famous string quartet or pianist, editing a recording, mastering a project for release, or recording birds and bug sounds. The possibilities are almost endless. But often, I am in the studio mixing a project, mastering a project or editing a project. These processes all take place while juggling upcoming work, whether it’s concerts, film shoots, recording sessions, or just installations and maintenance.

How did you know Northwest College was a good fit for you?

I’d spent a lot of time at Northwest College well before I was ever a student. I started by just riding through campus all the time on family bike rides. We would also go to concerts and events at NWC. Eventually, I found myself attending Summer Music Camp and participating in the Showalter Music Festival and District Band on campus. Neil Hansen was the director of bands and music at the time and was quite a force and recruiter. He took the time to talk to me when I was a kid, walking around Washington Park during the Yellowstone Jazz Festival. He smiled and said “You could be up there someday.” He really was the reason I ended up in the Music Department. It felt like home because it basically was home. It just felt right from the get-go.

What do you remember most vividly about your NWC experience?

I remember staying up late in the music building spending hours and hours in the studio. You just don’t get to do that at other programs. My roommate, Keller Paulson, who is a great drummer and musician, would also spend all night at the music building. We would often come and get each other to listen to something we were working on. The opportunity to experiment and develop was fantastic. I got a lot of hands-on experience with live sound, recording and film productions. It was almost hard to believe what I was able to do in the span of two years at NWC.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? What advice do you have for current students?

I’ve received countless great pieces of advice from many wonderful mentors and teachers. One piece of advice that stuck with me is to “put good stuff in, get good stuff out.” This is usually said in the context of recording, but to me, it also resonates with most things in life. School is what you make it—it’s so much more than just going to class and going through the motions. It's an opportunity to explore, create, learn and push your understandings and boundaries in new directions. It’s the ability to grow and develop personally, professionally, artistically and more. But you have to do the work and put in the effort. Put good stuff in, and you’ll get good stuff out.