Tim Adams
TIMOTHY ADAMS was named Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra beginning with the 1995–96 season. Born in Georgia, he received his early musical training there. While still in high school, he began his professional career as a substitute percussionist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in percussion.
After spending two summers at the Tanglewood Music Festival, Adams performed under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Masur, Seiji Ozawa, Elliot Carter, and Leon Fleisher. He has given solo performances with the Atlanta Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, and Pittsburgh Symphony. He has also recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony, where he was appointed principal timpanist in 1995.
In his role as Principal Timpanist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Adams is deeply involved in education and outreach. He serves as coach and mentor to young percussionists, presents masterclasses to high school students, and participated in the orchestra’s Early Childhood pilot program. He was instrumental in organizing the Pennsylvania Day of Percussion at Heinz Hall, hosting guests like Evelyn Glennie, Peter Erskine, and Dana Kimble.
Adams was featured on the award-winning children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, where he demonstrated percussion instruments to children in the episode titled Noisy and Quiet. Most recently, he composed for dance concerts and performed on the soundtrack of The Caveman’s Valentine starring Samuel L. Jackson. The film score was written by Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard.
Adams is currently Associate Professor of Music and Head of Percussion at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He also teaches at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina and regularly gives masterclasses and recitals nationally and internationally. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Chile, the International Percussion Festival in Puerto Rico, the International Festival in Patagonia, the Percussion School of Madrid, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (USA).
Tim Adams endorses Pearl / Adams Percussion.
