WHO ARE N&D?
NICOLE
singer/songwriter/arranger/sequencer/
recording artist/keyboardist)
A resident of Freehold Township, N.J., Nicole DePresca, an accomplished musician, has been performing for audiences all her life. Her professional career took off in 1996 as she began playing the New Jersey Shore circuit.
Nicole is the primary arranger and architect for all of N&D's sound. Nicole's sense of perfect pitch has greatly contributed to the success of creating all of their music as she can replicate any notes by ear. She is able to hear an instrument line just one time, commit it to memory and record it directly into her keyboard workstation creating all the extra sounds you hear in an N&D performance. Sometimes their custom digital multi-track recordings and vocals are so spot on, the audience believes they are listening to the radio until they take a second look and see that N&D are the real deal! Nicole is an accomplished singer, plays double keyboards, keytar, harmonicas, and other instruments as well. She has an incredible vocal range and can cover almost any style of music.
Nicole has an extensive educational background. She attended Hanover Park High School in East Hanover, NJ where she was heavily involved in all aspects of the music department and expanded her knowledge and experience by performing in various vocal and instrumental ensembles including the highly selective All Eastern Chorus and NJ All State Chorus. She continued her education at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, where she majored in Music Education while serving as president of the WPU Collegiate MENC chapter during her senior year. Nicole was also a member of Pi Lambda Theta: International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education, as well as an active member of NJMEA. She was presented with the 1999-2000 Outstanding Music Education Student Award and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (concentration in voice, minor in piano).
Upon graduation, Nicole received a full-time teaching position in Livingston, N.J. where she taught K-5 General Music and 4th and 5th grade chorus in the public schools. After she relocated to Monmouth County in 2001, she became the primary school general music teacher (Grades K-2 and self-contained) at the Mahala F. Atchison School in Tinton Falls, NJ and continues to inspire 'little minds' with music every day. In 2009, Nicole was voted 'Teacher of the Year' by her colleagues, administration, and parents of the Tinton Falls School District. In May of 2010, Nicole was published in TEMPO Magazine on her article entitled, "Unite Students Digitally Everyday in the Elementary Setting." Nicole works throughout the year preparing her students for large grade level concerts. Her music program at MFA was featured in a documentary, "Here's the Story" which aired on PBS/NJTV in the summer of 2015. Click here to see the full episode, "Play On."
DASH
(singer/songwriter/lyricist/
recording artist/guitarist)
Dash DePresca is also a resident of Freehold Township and has performed in various bands/duos and as a solo artist for many years. Dash is a multitalented musician and helped transform N&D's sound into what it is today. They bring a great deal of passion and charisma to the stage. As a former drummer, their innate sense of rhythm shines through in their guitar playing. They're always able to get the crowd moving! In addition, Dash has a beautiful voice and blends perfectly with Nicole often singing very intricate harmonies. While singing lead, Dash commands the room adding that "rock and roll edge" everyone knows and loves! This isn't the first time Dash has performed as a lead vocalist. They were the former lead singer of the northern New Jersey band, "Azure Skies" and were half of the creative talent behind "Third Law of Motion" duo.
Besides performing, Dash also has an incredible talent for composing lyrics. You may often see them jotting down words on little scraps of paper that will later find its way in an N&D composition. Dash is N&D's prime lyricist for all their original music. Dash also emcees all N&D's private events and weddings and handles all the marketing/design and promotional end of the business.
Dash is also known for being a bit of a rock and roll history buff. They can recall just about any fact about rock bands, songs, albums, release dates, etc. Too bad 'Rock and Roll Jeopardy' is off the air. They would have cashed in! Dash's musical influences are very diverse as you may have guessed. They're a big fan of 80's Metal and Rock but really loves a little of everything. Their vast knowledge has come in handy as they often choose selections that N&D will perform which keeps their song list well-rounded!
Dash's educational background is equally as impressive. They graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Health and Physical Education in 2008 from Kean University. They were also a member of "Phi Kappa Phi" International Honors Society.
Dash currently teaches middle school health in the Trenton Public School District and performs on the weekends and in the summers as half the talent behind "N&D Electric Duo!"