Etienne Nillesen is a performer/ improviser and composer from The Netherlands currently based in Cologne/ Germany.
The snare drum is a core part of Nillesen’s artistic practice. With an instrumental and physical approach, he explores and pushes the limits of the natural acoustics of the snare drum using conventional playing techniques as well as extended techniques and preparations.
His work involves elements of conceptual and spontaneous composition, structured improvisation, performance, and sound art. Alongside his own work, Etienne is a performer of contemporary music and works with composition, movement and snare drum in a number of interdisciplinary projects.
His interest in various forms of exploratory music gave him the opportunity to work regularly with artists such as Rudi Mahall, Axel Dörner, Ingar Zach, Anne LaBerge, Carl Ludwig Hübsch, Jeb Bishop, Magda Mayas, Kaja Draksler, Kim Myhr, Michael Vorfeld, Udo Moll, Sofia Jernberg, Pascal Niggenkemper, Michael Thieke, Tomeka Reid, Matthias Muche, Nicola L. Hein, Elisabeth Coudoux, Audrey Chen, Eve Risser, Henrik Munkeby Norstebo, Steve Marquette, Weston Olencki, Madison Greenstone, Katherine Young, Rie Watanabe, Valentin Garvie, Annegret Mayer-Lindenberg, Sabine Akiko Ahrend, Katinka Kleijn, and Ensemble Modern.
Besides being active as a performer Etienne is currently Professor of Music at the ArtEZ University of the Arts in The Netherlands and is a member of IMPAKT, a collective for improvised and contemporary music in Cologne, Germany.