Hugh A. Glauser School of Music

Linda B. Walker is Associate Professor of Music, founder and director of the Kent State University Gospel Choir, and Chairperson of The Music Education divison in the School of Music.

Before her appointment at Kent in 1990, she held academic appointments at the American Conservatory of Music (Chicago), University of Wyoming, and University of Kansas.  Before moving into higher education, she taught public school music (choral, general, and instrumental) in Grades K-12 for nine years.  In 1983, she earned the Ph.D. degree in music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas.  Both Master of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Education degrees were earned at Jackson State University (Mississippi).

Dr. Walker has published numerous articles and book chapters related to music teaching and African American music.   Her research is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Quarterly Journal of Music Teaching and Learning, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education: Contributions to Music Education, Music Educators Journal, Triad, and other professional journals.   She is co-author of Readings in Early Childhood Music Education with Dr. Barbara L. Andress.  Walker's research is presented regularly at the Ohio Music Educators Association Conference and at the National Association for Music Education Conference (formerly MENC).  

Walker is an active clinician who presents workshops and lectures in Ohio and across the country.  In July 1996, she was invited to conduct the prestigious All-State Workshop on Multicultural Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Along with publications, research paper presentations, and workshops, her creative contributions are notable.  In Fall 1996, she founded the KSU Gospel Choir.  This diverse, popular ensemble is invited to perform for on-campus activities; professional, civic and social organizations; church functions; nationally and internationally.  

In Fall 1998, an Ensemble from the choir was invited to tour in Italy where Walker taught Master Classes with choirs at the Fiesole School of Music, Vocimania, and historic St. James Church.  As a result of this work, faculty colleagues nominated and selected her as winner of the 1999 Creative Contribution Award presented by Kent State University.  She and the Gospel Choir were again recognized (Spring 1999) by the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars for "exceptional efforts to enhance international education and understanding," and selected to receive the Kent State University International Education Award for 1998. Walker was selected Distinguished Woman of Kent State (Spring, 2003).  In 2006, Walker served as on-site choir director for the Ohio Music Educators Association Conference Northcoast Gospel Choir.

Her past and current KSU committee service is extensive, including the Presidential Search Committee, Faculty Advisory Committee, Curriculum Committee, Library Committee, Faculty Senate, PEW Roundtable, Subcommittee on Diversity, University Promotion and Tenure Advisory Boards.  In the community she is a member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, and served as choir director for Gospel Meets Symphony.  At the state level she is a member of the Ohio Music Educators Special Learners and Multicultural Awareness committees.  At the national level she served on the Music Educators National Conference Publications Committee, Society for General Music Executive Committee, and as an editorial board member of General Music Today, Music Educators Journal, and Teaching Music.