Managment & Staff

~ OWNER ~

Sarah Walker is the Master Teacher and owner/creator of Sarah Walker Studios, Violin Karate and The Piano Lab.  Sarah is passionate about finding creative and Innovative ways to teach music to kids, always seeking to make learning FUN! She has years of international, private and public school teaching experience, giving her a broad world-wide view of music pedagogy. Sarah also believes strongly in mentoring and developing young teachers so she has worked tirelessly developing a mentorship program within her studio, allowing her to give bright young teachers a confident start while providing top-notch music opportunities for students. In her spare time, she enjoys being home with her family, creating DIY's and tinkering in her garden. 

~ STUDIO ADVISER ~

Dr. Tim Walker is the studios biggest fan and active community cheerleader. He holds many degrees in various fields but his biggest accomplishment is the way he loves and nurtures his family, friends and all those who are lucky enough to meet him along life's path. He serves the studio as a piano teacher, professional adviser and most of all, Sarah Walker's personal chef. :) 

He is currently the Minister of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson, MS where he leads the choir and orchestra each Sunday. Dr. Walker's favorite place to be (other than the kitchen) is on a conductors podium where he has led orchestras around the world. 

~ VIOLIN & PIANO INSTRUCTOR ~

Tyler Dennis was born and raised in Houston, TX. Tye Is currently the Early Childhood Performing Arts Teacher at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Jackson, MS.

Additionally, she is a professional musician (violinist, singer & composer/arranger) and a member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. She holds both her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Music Education from Jackson State University along with certifications in Orff Schulwerk. She is also the founder and owner of TyeSoulMusic. As a music educator and artist, she is spontaneous, creative, and always willing to  develop and cultivate new skills. She aspires to nurture students and their artistic gifts as well as accommodate interests in their unique journey to learning. She enjoys coffee shops, dancing, musicals, jazz, traveling and writing fresh, new music activities for her classroom. 

~ PIANO INSTRUCTOR & STAFF ACCOMPANIST ~

Mrs. Mary Lynn Donovan was born and raised in Minnesota but lived most of her life in Wisconsin. Music has always been her passion. She is equally a fantastic violinist and pianist. Her chosen career path took her down the Music Education road, where she taught strings, orchestra, vocal, and piano students for over 40 years. 

Alongside her teaching, she dedicated a tremendous amount of years to her local orchestra as Principal Second Violin in the Wisconsin Symphony. She has had the privilege of serving the church as music director and has performed on timeless occasions for various events throughout her life. We are thrilled to have such a refined teacher in our studio and have officially adopted her as our very own! 

~ VIOLIN & PIANO INSTRUCTOR & 

STAFF ACCOMPANIST ~

Julia Kirk is a violinist, violist, and pianist from Jackson, Mississippi. She holds a Master of Music in Viola Performance from Rice University and a Bachelor of Arts in Conducting and Theatre from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Her musical experiences have taken her around the world, including performances throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. Julia loves helping students become confident, well-rounded musicians and enjoys finding creative ways to make music meaningful for each student. Her background spans performance, conducting, teaching, and theatre, and she loves sharing her own curiosity and enthusiasm for music with her students. When she’s not performing or teaching, Julia can often be found in the kitchen trying out a new recipe or perfecting her latest bake.