Rik Vercoulen is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist and composer from the Netherlands, born in 2002. Rik started to play the drums at the age of 6. From that moment on, he worked hard to achieve his musical goals, which led to having a lot of experience in the musical world - despite his young age. He is motivated to get his musicality to the highest level, he always wants to grow as a musician. Working hard and improving yourself is, according to Rik, the only way to reach your goals. “Having talent is a requirement, but definitely no guarantee”.

Rik started drumming at a young age. His teacher was Hans in ‘t Zandt. Until this day Hans is still an important mentor to Rik. From the first drum lesson on there was chemistry between them, not just on a musical level. Because Hans’ teaching methods are mostly based on technical skills, Rik has learned the right drum techniques since he was young. Partly because of this, technique will always be highly valued by him. Rik kept following Hans’ lessons, which made him a continuously better drummer.

His love and passion for music made Rik curious about other instruments. His secondary school, the “Valuascollege” in Venlo, provided in this need by offering a separate course of study in addition to the regular subjects, where musicians have the opportunity to develop their musical talent.

Besides drumming, Rik was introduced with the piano, bass guitar and guitar. Instruments, he now all plays. In his third year of secondary school, he got the opportunity for the pre-education of the conservatory of Maastricht. He wasn’t just accepted for drums, but also for bass guitar. Rik was one of the first students who, during his pre-education, was allowed to practice 2 instruments. Here he was taught by Ron van Stratum (drums) and Alexander Boerner (bass guitar). After he graduated, he was accepted into Rockacademy in Tilburg. Here Rik attended classes from René Creemers and Arthur Lijten.

In 2017 Rik started his first band, a rock-/blues band named The Daffodils. With The Daffodils Rik gained a lot of experience. Professional studio sessions, playing on live radio and television (in the Netherlands and Belgium) and multiple big shows in the Netherlands and Germany. In 2022, the band members parted ways due to different ambitions. Rik also played drums, percussion and melodic percussion in three musicals (Cats, Scrooge and Titanic), Cats and Titanic won an award.

Since 2020 Rik has played bass guitar in a Limburg dialect band, “De Herfshane Band”. In the band he’s not just one of the musicians, he’s also a composer. He participated in writing multiple singles. This experience made him realize, he wanted to write more music, for other bands as well. From that moment on Rik started concentrating more on composing songs for multiple projects.

In 2022 Rik started as a drummer with country singer Jop Dorris. In the same year, the album “Here I am” was recorded and released. In summer 2022, Rik was asked by Djino Snijtsheuvel to become one of the permanent drummers of “Mad Pianos”. In this concept, the audience in restaurants and on club tours, can put in requests, played by a pianist and drummer. Rik plays with various pianists from foreign and Dutch nationality. In 2023 Rik started playing the drums in the party band “Khick”. This band performs at parties, weddings and carnivals. All genres are covered during a show by this band.

Next to his bands Rik also does session work. He takes over for musicians in other bands and he plays in multiple projects. He is also active as a studio musician on various instruments at multiple sessions. In addition, he composes and arranges for various artists.

It’s Rik’s dream to keep achieving a higher level in his musical life.