Tim McCay

Bio

Tim McKay currently serves on faculty at Howard Community College where he teaches applied percussion lessons, music theory, and has a large private studio through HCC's Music Institute program. He is the director of the Drummin' Dragons Summer Percussion Camp, and a former recipient of HCC's Arts and Humanities Adjunct Faculty of the Year award. In addition to teaching at HCC, he is the long-time percussion coach of the Howard County Youth Orchestra. An active clinician and educator, Mr. McKay has presented clinics and masterclasses throughout the area, including the Percussive Arts Society’s Day of Percussion. Mr. McKay holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (2003) and the University of Maryland (2005).

Mr. McKay is an active freelance performer and enjoys a myriad of playing opportunities - everything from choral and musical theater, to classical and contemporary music. He has previously performed with the Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Syracuse, West Virginia, Mid-Atlantic, and Annapolis symphonies. He currently performs with the Apollo Orchestra. Career highlights include the first movement of Christopher Rouse's percussion concerto Der geretette Alberich with the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and PBS's A Capitol Fourth celebration with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.

When he’s not teaching or performing, he enjoys homeschooling his kids, helping coach his son’s travel baseball team, and baking artisan bread for the Howard County Farmers Markets. He lives in Columbia with his wife, Amanda, children Isabelle and Zach, and their eight chickens. In his spare time you can find Tim hiking in Shenandoah National Park and cycling the back roads of Howard County.