One of the world's leading percussion soloists is to take up a new role tutoring the next generation of performers at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Alexej Gerassimez will begin working for the conservatoire, which is run by Birmingham City University, as its international consultant in solo percussion later this month.

Mr Gerassimez burst onto the international scene in 2010 when he won the TROMP Percussion Competition in the Netherlands, one of the most renowned international competitions for solo percussion.

Hailing from Essen in Germany, Mr Gerassimez performs across the world as a soloist and chamber musician as well as dedicating part of his time to composition.

He has performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and the Bochum Philharmonic.

His performance activities have led him to a wide range of European countries as well as Japan and the US where he toured in 2012 as soloist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

He said he was looking forward to relocating from Berlin to Birmingham, adding: "Birmingham is an enchanting city full of humorous and inspiring people.

"I love the pubs, they are so unique. I hope to catch some football too with my favourite Championship team Birmingham City. It'll be good to see how it compares to Borussia Dortmund, my childhood local team."

Commenting on his new role at Birmingham Conservatoire, he said: "My vision is simply to be a good teacher and find the best way for each student to improve themselves.

"Everybody is different and has their own musical ideas and styles. I want to encourage them to find their own way.

"My biggest task will be to assist them in doing this and convey my views that passion, inspiration and emotions are essential in music.

"To be able to continue this work in the university's state-of the-art new conservatoire building is truly exciting for me."

His appointment comes just a few months after Julian Lloyd Webber was announced as the new principal of the conservatoire, confirming the city's position as a major centre for classical music performance.

Building work has now begun on its new £46 million home which will open for teaching and performances in September 2017.

It will house a 400-seat auditorium, two additional performance spaces and a range of teaching facilities.