Title: Band Director
Company: North Mesquite High School
Location: Dallas, TX
Education: BA, Music Education, West Texas A&M University, Danyon TX, 2008
Career History: Band Director, North Mesquite High School, (12 years);
Junior high band director, Rockdale Junior High, Rockdale, TX
Type of Business: Music Education
Lance Walker, Band Director at North Mesquite High School, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of music education.
When Mr. Walker first picked up an instrument and performed music in band class, he knew pursuing music was his path in life. Displaying a natural musical inclination, he began tutoring fellow students while in high school. During this, he realized he enjoyed teaching others and decided to become a band director to be able to enjoy his vocation and share his passion. In his line of work, he utilizes music as a vehicle to teach life skills like hard work, teamwork, integrity and problem-solving.
Mr. Walker was set on his path by earning a Bachelor of Art from West Texas A&M University in music education in 2008. Prior to his current teaching position, he taught as a junior high band director, at Rockdale Junior High. Mr. Walker’s work in this field has garnered the attention of several awards and accolades. In 2012, he was a state finalist in the TMEA Honor Band Process, and from 2016 to 2017, Mr. Walker was selected as a quarterfinalist in the Grammy Music Educator Award process. Furthermore, he has been recognized among the top 290 of over 5,000 music educators across all 50 states. To this day, he considers his selection as a quarterfinalist in the Grammy Music Educator Award process to be the highlight of his career.
In Mr. Walker’s daily work, he is in charge of the jazz band program, which includes running contests, setting up and running auditions and answering any questions. In addition, he teaches the wind symphony. Supplementing his professional endeavors is a variety of memberships. Mr. Walker has maintained affiliation with the State UIL Music Advisory Committee, the Region III UIL Steering and Calendar Committees, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Band Masters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He is also involved with the Association of Texas Small School Bands, the Texas Jazz Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.