Jill Walker has been teaching voice, piano, theory & composition for 28 years, to “kids” from 5-95! Her specialty is private lessons in voice and piano to help singers become musically literate. Her training in classical technique and musical theater serves many students who are preparing for various solos and roles around town as well as applying for honor choir, contests and college auditions.

Ms. Walker has loved performing in operatic and musical theater roles since 8th grade, including her top three: Marsinah in Kismet, Miss Silverpeal in Mozart’s Impresario, and Maria in West Side Story. She’s also soloed over the last decade with Arete’ Vocal Ensemble (CLU), Opera Santa Barbara, L.A. Baroque Orchestra, The Ventura Chamber Festival, Ventura Opera Workshop, Ojai Camerata, and Los Robles and Ventura Master Chorales. Jill has especially enjoyed doing Oratorio work such as Dvorak’s Te Deum and numerous Messiah’s. In the spotlight since her 1st solo in 5th grade, she received such a complete and fulfilling arts education, that she has made it her mission to guide young people on that same path.

Appearing with pop icon Beck this past February (Fox Studio), recording for Ventura composer John Biggs and UCSB composers forum, as well as co-writing and producing her own pop demo in the 80’s, Ms. Walker has been able to explore performing in varied genres, while always continuing to teach. She has also soloed in several cities in Italy, including a solo concert for Italian cable television, and she spent 2 years in The Cat’s Pajama’s (Mpls) singing industrial and resort shows, while working as an FM announcing at 2 radio stations and being a singing waiter simultaneously! Getting paid to talk and sing was a great blessing, as was having a yoga practice to put back the energy expended while doing all of these jobs! Unstoppable, Jill continues to teach yoga at Bodysattva in T.O. to promote vibrant health and a soaring spirit to her adult classes.

In the last 2 years, Jill has directed The Music Man (Colina Middle School) and Footloose (Newbury Park H.S.) and is delighted to be musical director of Pirates of Penzance, helping to re-launch Jeff Wallach’s Curtain Call Youth Theater, while continuing to hone her music director skills and support the talented students that inspire her.

Her graduate studies include: The Bellini Institute, Sicily, Italy, and The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She holds her Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Austin, including a K-12th grade teaching certificate in vocal music. She has studied voice (20 years) and piano (10 years).