Bio
Neil Walker, M.Mus., LRSM
Neil Walker, a native of Barbados, has demonstrated and exhibited extraordinary talent, skill and flexibility as a piano player. Mr. Walker holds a Masters in Piano Performance from Brooklyn College and a Licentiate (LRSM) in Piano Performance from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London. In addition, he has garnered and coveted six distinctions and two merits awarded by London's Trinity College School of Music. His two distinctions received in 1997 and 2000 were the highest in the Caribbean, Canada and the United States.
It was at the age of ten Mr. Walker recollects that his music consciousness became potent. His fascination with music was nurtured primarily through private music instruction and also his attendance as a student at both the Lodge School in 1992 and the Barbados Community College in 1998. The exposure and the rigorous formation received at these institutions led to Mr. Walker's participation in the Barbados Jazz Festival, particularly "Jazz on the Hill". Mr. Walker performed with both the Lodge School Jazz Group in 1998 and the Barbados Community College Combo in 2000. These groups were later billed as the opening act for several world renowned artists on tour to Barbados.
In 1999, Mr. Walker was labeled as the most outstanding gold medalist at the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts in Barbados (N.I.F.C.A). He has performed at several concerts and benefits in conjunction with the Barbados Association of Piano Teachers. Mr. Walker has participated in most of the major music festivals in Barbados including the Congaline, CropOver and Holetown festivals. These music festivals showcase and celebrate the native music of Barbados. During this time, Mr. Walker earned an Associate's Degree from the Barbados Community College and in 2001 performed the piano works of Beethoven, Brahms and Gershwin in a series entitled "Music Makers" on Barbadian television.
His academic and musical talents were recognized and rewarded with a full tuition scholarship for further study at Brooklyn College in the United States. It was at this institution that Mr. Walker completed his Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees in Piano Performance in 2005 and 2007 respectively. In 2002, he made his solo debut in Barbados at the Frank Collymore Hall where he received a mixed number of reviews.
While at Brooklyn College, Mr. Walker won several awards in music and academics. He won acclaim on the Dean's Lists for 2001, 2004 and 2007. He won awards named to honor the following individuals and institutions: Sheldon Smith (2002), Walter Gerboth (2005-06), Saul Lyons (2006), Warner Communications, CERF (2006) and Conservatory Performance Award in Music (2007). His name grew on campus, as he became the popular choice for distinguished piano accompanist assignments and chamber music performances.
Mr. Walker is currently working on Maurice Ravel's complete solo piano works, several volumes of Caribbean Folk Songs and preparing for a FRSM diploma. He is also the Organist of Jesus The Good Shepherd United Reformed Episcopal Church in Brooklyn. Mr. Walker continues to perform and tutor piano privately. His first CD titled "De Folk Music In Me", a collection of Caribbean Folk songs was released in July 2010. It is a collection of twelve imaginative and captivating Caribbean Folk songs redefined through the sound of exuberant piano playing. December 2010 will see the release of his second CD titled "The Jesus Album".