Catherine A. Walker

Associate Chair of Musical Theatre; Clinical Professor of Music

---

Bio

Catherine A. Walker is a Professor of Music and Vice-Chair of the Department of Musical Theatre. Professor Walker has worked extensively as a music director, conductor, vocal coach, pianist, educator and clinician professionally for over 35 years. Most recently, Ms. Walker served as the Music Supervisor for the 2024 Japanese Tour of RENT in Tokyo and Osaka. In addition to Music Directing at the University of Michigan, Ms. Walker’s credits include Island Center Productions, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands; The American School, London, England; Three-D Productions National Touring Company; 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Washington; Derby Dinner Playhouse, Louisville, Kentucky; The Augusta Barn Theatre’s production of Shenandoah starring Robert Newman; Country Dinner Playhouse, Columbus, Ohio; Red Barn Playhouse, Saugatuck, Michigan; Farmers Alley Theatre, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has been a guest professor/lecturer at Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand and the American School in London, England. Ms. Walker serves annually as a mentor and judge for the national Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Vocal Academy.

Ms. Walker was the featured pianist for Wicked Divas with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Family Night at the Movies with the Saginaw Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Walker has also served as the music director and pianist for various cabaret performances including An Evening with Lauren Kennedy and An Evening with Scott Coulter.

The University has recognized Ms. Walker’s teaching excellence by awarding multiple Gilbert Whitaker Grants for the Improvement of Teaching. These grants were used to explore new pedagogical strategies for contemporary vocal performance practices, develop curriculum and support music technology. Ms. Walker is certified as an Estill Master Trainer in the Estill Voice Training Model and also continues to explore and incorporate various somatic methodologies including: the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method for Somatic Education, Fitzmaurice Voicework and McCloskey Technique. Her passion for music education and literacy, has led to the creation of a new Musical Fluency Course as well as the creation of a Music Theory curriculum for Musical Theatre majors.

Ms. Walker’s professional work extends beyond musical theatre, as a classical choral conductor, and clinician. Her choirs have performed in Carnegie Hall, Germany, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, and Washington D.C. Walker was the headliner at the MSVMA Summer Workshop and also presented at the Midwest Conference, Michigan Music Conference, and & ACDA State Conference. Ms. Walker’s excellence as a choral conductor has been recognized by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Credits include: Director/Music Director for the All-State Musical Theatre Festival, Creator/Lead Clinician for the Musical Theatre Intensive. Conducting credits include: Outstanding Large Ensemble at Michigan Youth Arts Festival; MSVMA SSA State Honors Choir Conductor, MSVMA Midwest Conference, and ACDA Michigan Convention. In addition, her choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall, as well as Washington D.C., Germany, Austria, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Walker is also in demand as a clinician both nationally and internationally. Ms. Walker holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting Degree from Western Michigan University School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Capital University Conservatory of Music. Walker’s conducting mentors include Dr. Craig S. Arnold, Dr. Rodney Eichenberger, and Dr. Joe Miller.