Rick Palmer is a founding member of Marimba Muzuva, an exciting 9-piece marimba band from Victoria, B.C. The group has toured to over 600 schools in communities across B.C. to enthusiastic audiences. Rick has been performing with the band since their first performance in March 1993. His interest in African music has led him to study percussion in Ghana, West Africa, and to study marimba in Zimbabwe.

Rick completed an exciting month-long artist in residence program for the Vancouver school district. The project entitled "Integrated learning through world music" was funded through Art Starts by the McConnel Family Foundation and has had great reviews from children, teachers, and the sponsors. A set of marimbas were built for 6 schools to share and they are getting lots of use! Three additional sets have been made since!

Rick was hired as a marimba teacher for the Zimbabwean Music Festival, a yearly cultural event presenting performing artists and teachers from Zimbabwe and from around the world.

Over the past several years Rick has taught marimba building and playing workshops to groups from Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Hornby Island which has led to the formation of new bands in these areas.