Shaun joined the Phoenix Symphony as Principal Percussion in November of 2013. He began his studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Shaun went on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Houston, and received an Artist Diploma from DePaul University in Chicago. His teachers included Ted Atkatz, Brian Del Signore, She-e Wu, James Ross and Richard Brown. While in school, Shaun was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Mr. Tilburg’s previous position was as the Principal Percussionist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, where he played from 2007 until 2011.
Shaun has performed with the Chicago Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Philharmonia Orchestra of London, National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, St. Louis Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and San Antonio Symphony. He has received fellowships with the Tanglewood Music Center, National Repertoire Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Opera of the Ozarks and Music Academy of the West.

In 2016, riding the success of his snare drum method book ‘The Regimen’, Shaun founded a music publication company called Pocket Publications. With over 20 publications, Pocket Publications has quickly established itself as an innovator in the industry. Shaun’s compositions have premiered all over the world, including the USA, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Germany and Norway.

Mr. Tilburg was adjunct faculty at Arizona State University 2014-2021 and at the University of Maryland from 2021-2023. Shaun has taught at the Lynn Conservatory of Music since 2016.