Nick Merillat is the director of bands at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School in Richmond, Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University and a Master of Music from Ithaca College where he studied with Gordon Stout. As conductor of the MLWGS Bands, he has led the ensembles to consecutive  superior ratings at VBODA state assessments from 2022-2025. In 2025 he was nominated for the R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence. As a percussionist, Nick has performed professionally with Tidewater Winds, Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble, Symphonicity, and Gamelan Raga Kusuma. Nick is in demand as a marching percussion clinician, writer and adjudicator.  He has also been commissioned to write for wind ensemble and solo instruments. Nick's music is published through Full Circle Publications.

Outside of music, Nick enjoys hiking and playing with his dog Daisy.