Written by Kelsee Perry with SGJC Student News Network
Performing at the White House, overseas, and at two National Public Radio (NPR) Tiny Desk concerts are just a few of Johnny Walker’s career accomplishments to date.
During a virtual interview, Johnny Walker admits, “I learned very quickly that just the arts field in general is a very humbling field”.
However, challenges never stopped Walker, who passionately recalls how his love for music began in Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church in Northeast D.C.
Walker and his siblings were enriched within music culture in their youth. Various mentors provided guidance for his family and various programs ensured unforgettable experiences. His instrument of expertise became the cello.
The D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, church, passion, and a rigorous school curriculum affirmed that music would be a solid career path for him.
“The more that I studied with my teachers, as well as saw exactly what they did, it definitely helped tear down some walls with what I was seeing on TV or looking at the musicians that I would listen to on the radio” he says. “It definitely kind of tore down the wall on what and how things work.”
He studied as a Strings Orchestra Major while at Suitland High School and graduated from University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelors in Music Performance.
“I’ve learned a ton of different life lessons just being in music, about the diligence of practicing, putting in the hard work, and being very conscientious about your time management,” Walker says.
“In high school I took an Advanced Placement Music Theory class and literally for that year, our job was to train ourselves to figure out this stuff. We only had 20 minutes.” he recalls.
In college he began his teaching career. In his practice, Walker utilizes the Suzuki Method, originally created by Shinichi Suzuki. Walker references it as “the Triangle Method,” which he believes creates a balanced relationship between the teacher, parent, and student.
As a teacher, Walker is very engaged and helps students from all over Prince George's County, D.C., and other areas. He currently teaches at Levine Music and continues guiding students interested in the cello.
Johnny Walker finds it incredibly important to teach the next generation.
“My teachers had a very, very profound impact on me. Both of my teachers prior to college and while I was in college had a very, very large impact on me.”
Walker spoke gratefully about his mentors, Elise Sharpe from the String Queens and Retired Sergeant Gunnery Deena Purdy, the first Black woman to join the U. S. Marine Band.
He credits them both as reasons he wanted to give back to the community.