In honor of Neil’s life, legacy, and the lineage of great drumming, the Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship was created and is being presented by David Frangioni, Modern Drummer, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, Olivia Peart, Rob Silverman, and Dennis Wolfe, SVP A&R at Universal Music Enterprises. The scholarship honors the legendary Neil Peart by inspiring and nurturing a young drummer with the goal of developing the next generation of drumming talent. The Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship has previously been awarded to Maxx Rinkus, Aimee Peckham and Steven Malek, three exceptional young drummers whose talent and dedication embody Neil’s spirit.
With the generous support of Neil’s wife, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and their daughter, Olivia, this scholarship embodies Neil’s passion for music and education. It offers an unparalleled opportunity for an aspiring young drummer to elevate their skills and pursue their dreams. It is an invitation to follow in Neil’s footsteps, embracing the spirit of relentless practice, innovation, and artistic integrity that he exemplified throughout his career.
Are you a young drummer looking to take your talent to the next level? The Neil Peart Spirit of Drumming Scholarship could be your chance to do just that. This annual scholarship is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of drummers, encouraging them to push their boundaries and grow as both musicians and individuals.
Join us in celebrating Neil’s legacy and continuing the journey of musical discovery and excellence. Let the Spirit of Drumming inspire you to reach new rhythmic heights!
Past Recipients
2025 NPSOD Recipient
Steven Malek
In speaking about the award, Steven states, “I will have amazing opportunities with more drummers to learn from, and gain experience that I wouldn’t be able to from my current resources. To grow and share with one another is my dream, and to have the education and resources to back it up, will help me do so… I will push with every fiber of my being to always learn and always be a student every day. I am constantly learning new aspects of drumming, and pushing my boundaries regarding my knowledge and understanding, which will be forever a core part of my life.”
2023 NPSOD Recipient
Aimee Peckham
Aimee Peckham was the second recipient of the NPSOD Scholarship. Aimee demonstrated a passion and unique-ness in her performance video that stood out to the NPSOD panel, earning her 52 weeks of drum lessons from world-class drum instructors, a 1 year subscription to Modern Drummer All Access, and a selection of classic Rush album releases from Universal Music Enterprises.
2022 NPSOD Recipient
Maxx Rinkus
Maxx Rinkus was the first recipient of the NPSOD Scholarship. Maxx's impressive performance video, along with his heartfelt essay, secured him 52 weeks of drum lessons from the late drumming icon, Dom Famularo, along with a 1 year subscription to Modern Drummer All Access, and a selection of classic Rush album releases from Universal Music Enterprises.
