Nicholas Terry is a percussionist presently working within the field of contemporary chamber music.  Throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, he has worked closely with renowned composers and ensembles, including Pierre Boulez, Peter Eötvös, Chinary Ung, Gavin Bryars, Steven Schick & red fish blue fish, Fritz Hauser, Eighth Blackbird, the California E.A.R. Unit, XTET, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.  He is a frequent guest artist in Los Angeles’ celebrated new music series, including Music & Conversations, LA Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella series, Jacaranda Music, Monday Evening Concerts, Ojai Festival, Grand Performances, and Microfest.  He is an active collaborator within Southern California's vibrant new music community, having premiered dozens of solo and ensemble works to date.
 
In 2005, Terry cofounded Ensemble XII, an international percussion orchestra of which Pierre Boulez says, “…represents the next generation in the evolution of modern percussion.”  Since 2004, he is a member of PARTCH, an ensemble devoted to the music of American microtonal composer Harry Partch.  He currently performs with and directs the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, exclusive recording artists for classical label Sono Luminus.  In addition, his discography includes releases on Albany, Innova, New World, Capstone, and <541> Records (Stanford University).
 
He is a five-time alumnus of the Lucerne Festival Academy (Switzerland), where he worked alongside Sofia Gubaidulina, Liza Lim, Dai Fujikura, Harrison Birtwistle, and members of Ensemble Intercontemporain.
 
Terry holds degrees in music performance from the University of Southern California (DMA), the California Institute of the Arts (MFA), and Eastern Illinois University (BM).  He is an assistant professor of music and Director of Percussion Studies in the Conservatory of Music at Chapman University’s College of Performing Arts, where he additionally lectures in non-Western musical traditions and improvisation. He is an Artist Endorser for Sabian Cymbals.