EMT: 2015
Catherine A. Walker, Professor of Music at the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre and has worked extensively as a music director, conductor, vocal coach, pianist, educator and clinician for over 40 years. Ms. Walker is recognized as a conductor, pianist, teacher and clinician, both nationally and internationally. Most recently she was a visiting teaching artist at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Ms. Walker’s has received multiple grants for teaching excellence and curriculum development at the University. This grant funding has been used to explore: new pedagogical strategies; training in contemporary vocal performance practices for both faculty and students; and research into Musical Theatre in Southeast Asia. Ms. Walker is a certified Master Trainer in the Estill Voice Training System and also actively integrates various somatic methodologies into her teaching including: Alexander Technique, Fitzmaurice Voicework, McCloskey Technique and the Feldenkrais Method for Somatic Education. Ms. Walker has been instrumental in bringing the Estill Voice Training System to the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department where she is currently serving in the position of Musical Theatre Curriculum Coordinator. Ms. Walker received a Bachelor of Music Education from Capital University Conservatory of Music, Columbus Ohio and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Western Michigan University School of Music, Kalamazoo, Michigan.