Bio

Dr. Walker-Parker is the Director of Instrumental Activities at Peru State College where he oversees all aspects of the instrumental studies curriculum and band program, conducts the Concert and Pep Bands as well as teaches conducting, applied brass, and the music history sequence. Dr. Parker earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln where he served as a graduate teaching assistant from 2020-2022. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies – Leadership: Entertainment Industry and Ensemble Conducting from the University of Alabama, a Master of Music in Conducting from Georgia Southern University, and an Advanced Certificate in Music Studies from Berklee College of Music. His primary conducting teachers include Dr. Carolyn Barber, Dr. Robert Dunham, and Randall Coleman. Dr. Parker serves as clinician and adjudicator for band programs throughout the United States with a focus on new paradigms in band performance through inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinarity. Dr. Parker is a native of Mobile, Alabama but has also lived and taught in South Georgia and Upstate South Carolina. He is an alumnus of Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and continues to be an active instructor throughout the Southeast.

Research Interests

Current Research Topics:

Mixed-Media Through Performance in Wind and Percussion Ensembles

Performance outside of the concert hall

Ensembleship with Dr. Carolyn Barber


Previous Research Topics:

Ensemble Leadership: Effective Guest Conducting

Entertainment Industry: Promotional Entities