Alumni

“I have been involved with the Walden School as a student, faculty member, and administrator for many years and I have found that my experience in each of these roles continues to shape all aspects of my life. As a student, Walden let me discover my passion for music and develop a work ethic that set me on my artistic and career path as a composer and educator.

I would not currently be pursuing a PhD in composition if it were not for my time at Walden. I would not have taught music at a university for 5 years, traveled to Paris to study electronic music, or made most of the friends I have if Walden had not helped me realize my passion. It was the supportive community of inspiring people that led me that way. I try to create this environment in every musical, educational, and even personal part of my life.

What is particularly special about Walden is that it doesn’t just teach music. The people at Walden teach each other how to build and care for creative communities full of diverse perspectives. We just happen to do this through music. As a former student and current faculty member it is a privilege to be a part of this community, but it is not something that everyone gets to experience. The power of such a community is special and something worth creating in every part of our lives and sharing with the people around us.

There are plenty of musical programs and organizations that want to ‘make the world a better place.’ This is, of course, a daunting challenge and something that sometimes feels intangible or even unreachable. My time at Walden, however, has shown me that, under the right circumstances and with the right people it’s not so out of reach. I have witnessed time and time again how Walden creates creative, vibrant, and supportive environments for all of its participants. These environments are new worlds and by creating these worlds we also learn how to care for them and share them with others.

This is the most important lesson I’ve learned from my time at Walden and it is a lesson that can be applied to any field.

Walden students, faculty, staff, administrators, and supporters all create this community and are able to take this perspective into any other aspect of their lives. I think about it and live it every day when I meet with my students, when I design classes and curricula, when I collaborate with other artists, when I perform and compose, when I am in class, when I am with my friends and family, and when I think about what it means to be part of a community that is bigger than myself and bigger than music.

– Alex

Walden has been a kind of magical place for Jack, where he could be his best self in a warm, loving, supportive environment.

Over the last five summers, he has learned great fundamental musicianship, been challenged to listen to new and different styles of music with open ears, he’s written music in a range of musical genres, and has developed an increasingly clear voice as a composer. But while the musical training is the reason we sent him to Walden in the first place, there is much more to the experience than the music. We have watched him grow from an uncertain new student, trying to find his way in the new environment, to a confident leader among the students, helping others to succeed and feel welcome.

Year after year, Walden’s faculty and staff consistently create among themselves and among the students a supportive community where each student’s individual talents and idiosyncrasies are appreciated.

Students write music of all kinds, at all levels, and they are respectful of each other’s artistic journey and process, investing care and attention in each other’s success. It is a delight to see kids in these often socially and emotionally difficult years taking care of each other and enabling their success. Walden is a treasure!

Three days after I leave the Walden School Young Musicians Program, I start to count the days until the next summer.

This past year was my fourth year attending the program in Dublin, New Hampshire. Walden is my home away from home. Every year at Walden, I experience new and interesting kinds of music and the education I receive is incredible. The teachers do an amazing and thorough job working with the students. They work with each student to help them become better musicians as well as better people. Seth’s leadership and dedication is fantastic.

Between the friends I make at Walden and the hard work I put in to create the final festival composition, the five weeks at Walden is always extremely satisfying and special.

I take the knowledge I acquire at Walden into the rest of my year, and it makes my life better. I want to thank all the people who contribute and donate to Walden. All the things I love about my summers in Walden would not happen without you.

Thank you,
– Karina