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

The World Percussion Group (WPG) is a trailblazing international touring ensemble founded in 2016 by the acclaimed percussion duo Maraca2. Conceived as a platform for the world’s finest emerging percussionists, WPG bridges the gap between academic study and professional life by offering selected artists a unique opportunity to tour, teach, perform, and grow within a supportive international framework.

Each WPG cycle is formed through a highly competitive audition process, attracting hundreds of applicants from across the globe. To date, WPG has proudly represented artists from over 45 countries, forming one of the most diverse and culturally rich percussion ensembles in the world. The ensemble functions as a mobile percussion festival, delivering cutting-edge concerts, workshops, masterclasses, and outreach events at leading conservatoires, schools, and concert venues.

The mission of the World Percussion Group is twofold: to inspire audiences and students through world-class performance and to provide meaningful career development for the next generation of percussionists. Artists not only perform but also lead clinics, presentations, and educational sessions, equipping them with valuable professional skills in communication, teaching, and outreach. Many WPG alumni have gone on to become influential figures in the percussion world, including Joe Porter, Ksenija Komljenović, Hsin-Hsuan Wu, Cameron Leach, and Vanessa Porter.

Since its inception, WPG has travelled over 30,000 miles, hosted more than 35 international residencies, featured over 40 renowned guest artists, and garnered over 2 million views online. The group has toured extensively across the United States, Portugal, Spain, the Baltic capitals, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the UK, continually expanding its artistic reach and educational impact.

In addition to its international touring, the group has recently launched the WPG Academy, an innovative online platform providing high-level percussion education through livestreamed artist residencies, masterclasses, and coaching sessions. The Academy currently features a diverse roster of global artists and reaches students across multiple continents.

The World Percussion Group continues to push artistic and educational boundaries—bringing together world-class talent, fostering cultural exchange, and inspiring global audiences. At its core, WPG stands as a symbol of excellence, opportunity, and the vibrant future of percussion.