Alumni Spotlight – Michael Patrick Walker ‘89

While a student at Susquehannock, Michael was regarded as something special, but few could have imagined that this Warrior Alum would make such an impact on the world of Broadway in such a short time, highly regarded among his peers for creativity and musical excellence.

Michael, a native of New Freedom, began playing piano at age 5, and his exceptional musical gift came to choral director Dave Nicholson’s attention upon his entry into Southern Middle School, when he was asked to be the accompanist for the high school chorus and for his first musical, The Sound of Music. While at Susquehannock, he was involved in the Spring Musical each of his four years, including lead parts in Oliver (Fagin) and Wizard of Oz (Tin Man). In his senior year, he co-produced and directed a musical review, the first production to be performed in the new SHS auditorium. In addition, to excelling in all things musical, Michael was an excellent student, graduating with honors and as a member of the National Honor Society.

His interest in musical production also attracted him to York Little Theater, where he performed as an actor or musician in a number of productions including, Two by Two, Sweeney Todd, and Little Shop of Horrors.

His passion for the American Musical continued in college, but he also pursed other academic interests by majoring in Math and Computer Science. Upon graduation in 1993, Michael moved to New York City to see what would happen for him in music, and the rest is history.

He found work almost immediately, subbing in the pit orchestras for The King and I. This led to his first full-time job, first keyboard for the national tour of Cats. Then came jobs with Lion King, Jeckyll and Hyde and The Scarlet Pimpernel, Wicked, Thoroughly Modern Millie, La Boheme, The Fantasticks, and Avenue Q (where he was musical conductor) to name a few.

He is best known as composer/lyricist for the Off-Broadway hit Altar Boyz, for which he received two nominations for the prestigious Drama Desk Award, the Lucille Lortrel Award, and was given the 2005 Outer Critics Cirles Award for Best Off Broadway Musical. Altar Boyz is still running in New York approaching 1,400 performances. It has been featured in national tours and regional theatre, and has even toured internationally, having been translated into a range of languages including Korean, French, Finnish, and Hungarian. And the fame of Altar Boyz continues to grow. Another national tour is in the planning, and the release of rights for amateur theatre is imminent.

Industry respect for his creativity and talent led to an assignment as musical composer for two seasons of Disney Channel’s TV Series Johnny and the Sprites, which was recently nominated for four Emmy awards. He was lead composer, musical supervisor, and musical director for the second season, and recently finished producing a CD from the series.

Although professional demands prevent him from frequent returns to his hometown and alma mater, he remembers them fondly. He particularly credits the music program with exposing him to possibilities he never knew existed and acknowledges his teachers for encouraging him to reach his full potential and dare to take chances. He continues to be amazed with the range of musical opportunities afforded him in a school not connected with an urban center.

As for the future, Michael is in the planning stages for several new projects, but is too superstitious to disclose them. One thing for sure – you haven’t heard the last of Michael Patrick Walker.

Congratulations Michael, and thank you for making us Warrior Proud!