Grahame has been Principal Timpanist with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia since 1998. Additionally, he regularly plays as guest Principal Timpanist with many of London’s top orchestras, touring extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia.

On the concert platform and in recording studios Grahame has worked with musicians such as Ashkenazy, Gatti, Menuhin, Maazel, Masur, Pavarotti, Rattle, Salonen and Temirkanov. On the commercial side he has performed with artists including Madonna and Roger Taylor.

Music education has been an important part of Grahame’s musical life. He teaches at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music. He has tutored the timpani and percussion sections of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales & the Australian Youth Orchestra.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, having lessons from the legendary James Blades.