Luke Nowak

Luke Nowak is a junior at Saint Louis Priory School and is excited to return for his third season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has been playing percussion for eleven years ever since his dad brought a drum set home from a neighbor’s garage sale. His school unfortunately does not provide a music program, so he looks for every opportunity to help out. Previously he has helped in the pit orchestra for a Take 3 production of Narnia and Saint Louis Priory’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This past year he played the lead role in Priory’s musical, Barnum. Along with this, he assists in the musical liturgy at Mass every Sunday playing piano and timpani at his parish, Saint Clare of Assisi. He also enjoys playing drum set, especially classic rock and jazz. 

Outside of music, Luke enjoys hanging out with friends, playing ultimate frisbee, and fishing up in northern Michigan with his family. During the summer and throughout the school year he works as a camp counselor at Bobby McCormack’s Basketball Camp, and he plays frisbee for the St. Louis Moon Pigs.  

Luke would like to thank everyone who has helped him in pursuing percussion. Most especially his grandfather for giving him the love for percussion, his past instructor Karen Nichols for nurturing and growing his passion and skills, Alan Stewart, the Assistant Principal Percussionist for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, who is his instructor today, and his family. He appreciates all the support for both his musical and other endeavors and can’t wait to continue his work with the YO.