Born and raised in rural Iowa (USA), Schick has transformed the world of percussion through his deep engagement with contemporary music. Alex Ross of The New Yorker describes him as 'one of our supreme living virtuosos, not just of percussion but of any instrument,' a testament to Schick’s ability to elevate percussion to a new artistic plane. His commitment to commissioning and premiering over 150 new works for solo percussion has helped establish a core repertory for the instrument, securing his place in the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2014. In addition to his work as a performer, Schick is the artistic director of both the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. His versatility extends to conducting, with appearances alongside prestigious ensembles such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Modern. As a professor at the University of California, San Diego, Schick is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of musicians. His publications and recordings have garnered international acclaim, including prestigious awards like the Diapason d’Or and the Deutscheschallplattenkritikpreis for his interpretations of works by Iannis Xenakis and Karlheinz Stockhausen.