Tim Palmer - BMus(Hons), AdvPgDip, HonRBC

(WPG Artistic Director, Maraca2 Percussion Duo)

Tim Palmer is an internationally acclaimed percussionist, educator, and ensemble director, best known for his work with the award-winning percussion duo, Maraca2. In the 2018/19 season, Maraca2 appeared as featured soloists with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel in a concerto collaboration with composer Joseph Pereira. The work was later reprised with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Pascal Rophé.

Tim Palmer has performed internationally, with highlights including featured evening concert appearances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis and the Taiwan International Percussion Convention (TIPC) in 2017. His orchestral work includes performances with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, with appearances at renowned venues such as the Barbican, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, and Snape Maltings.

In 2016, Tim was appointed percussion adjudicator for the BBC Young Musician of the Year and previously served as President of the Percussive Arts Society UK Chapter.

He began his formal training at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (formerly Birmingham Conservatoire) in 2000, graduating with a First Class BMus(Hons) and an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction. In recognition of his professional achievements, he was awarded an Honorary Membership of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (HonRBC) in 2007.

The World Percussion Group Summer Academy

WPG Academy is a high-level online summer academy for percussionists, bringing together some of the world’s most respected performers and educators in a focused, international programme.

Founded by the World Percussion Group, the Academy was created to give serious young artists access to coaching at the very highest professional level — regardless of geography. The programme is designed for those who are already committed to excellence and are seeking direct guidance from leaders in the field.

World-Class Coaches

Each summer, WPG Academy assembles a faculty of 'best-of-the-best' coaches — artists whose careers span international solo work, principal orchestral positions, major conservatoires, and landmark recordings.

Recent WPG Academy coaches have included:

• Michael Burritt

• Dame Evelyn Glennie

• Kai Strobel

• Colin Currie

• Eriko Daimo

• Pius Cheung

• Christoph Sietzen

• Ji Hye Jung

• Emmanuel Séjourné

• Garrett Mendelow

• Nancy Zeltsman

• Katarzyna Myćka

• Marta Klimasara

• Svet Stoyanov

• Ivana Bilić

• Tim Palmer

Alongside this core faculty, the Academy also hosts Starlet Sessions, spotlighting outstanding emerging and mid-career artists currently shaping the future of percussion.

A Focused Online Summer Programme

WPG Academy runs as an intensive online programme across the summer months, allowing participants to engage deeply while balancing existing study or professional commitments.

The online format:

• removes financial and geographic barriers

• enables participation from artists worldwide

• allows sustained contact with multiple elite coaches

• encourages a global peer network

Sessions are delivered live and are highly interactive, with a strong emphasis on individual feedback, musical clarity, and professional insight.

What the Academy Offers

Participants may experience:

• individual and small-group coaching

• specialist masterclasses across disciplines

• ensemble coaching and collaborative projects

• performance preparation and recording work

• career guidance, auditions, and professional pathways

• livestream concerts and artist talks

The Academy prioritises depth over volume — ensuring meaningful contact with faculty rather than passive observation.

Who It’s For

WPG Academy is designed for:

• conservatoire and university students

• emerging professionals and recent graduates

Entry is selective, ensuring a cohort of motivated, high-level participants and a shared standard of commitment.

Our Ethos

WPG Academy is built on the belief that access to exceptional mentorship changes careers.

We value:

• artistic integrity and curiosity

• generosity of knowledge

• professionalism and preparation

• international collaboration

• long-term artist development

The Academy is not a competition — it is a professional learning environment.

Beyond the Summer

Participation in WPG Academy connects artists to the wider World Percussion Group network — a global community of alumni, coaches, and collaborators that continues beyond the programme itself.