Nick Johnson and Max Gambrell

In our latest episode we sit down with Nick Johnson, a School of Music alumnus and Program Director of the Creative Arts Living Learning Program, and Max Gambrell, a senior music education major to talk about what it's like living among creatives and what happens after you graduate. 

Nick brings a wealth of experience to his role — from directing choirs that performed at Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, and Universal Studios, to competing on NBC's The Sing Off, to being a prolific composer and arranger commissioned by ensembles across the country. After six years in the classroom, Nick has found a new calling in helping UK students build community around their shared love of the arts.

Max, an accomplished flautist and composer, has been a member of the Creative Arts LLP since his very first day on campus and now serves as the program's senior peer mentor — guiding his fellow mentors and helping shape the kind of welcoming, connected environment that made him fall in love with the program in the first place.

Together, Nick and Max reflect on the power of surrounding yourself with fellow creatives, what it means to lead and serve within an arts community, and how to navigate the leap from student life into a career in music education. Whether you're considering the Creative Arts LLP, preparing to graduate, or simply passionate about the arts, this episode is one you won't want to miss!