Dr. David Vandewalker

Dr. David Vandewalker

Coordinator of Performing Arts
Fulton County Board Of Education

  Biography

David W. Vandewalker is the Coordinator of Performing Arts (Emeritus) for the Fulton County Schools supporting the music education and music therapy faculty who serve 96,000 students in Atlanta. Dr. Vandewalker serves as the executive director for the Feierabend Association for Music Education, artistic director and conductor of the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble and the principal conductor of the Georgia Wind Symphony. Additionally, he served as the associate conductor for Tara Winds (2017-2019), assistant director of bands at Georgia State University (2012-2016) and Director of Bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia (2000-2012). Dr. Vandewalker earned degrees at Baylor University, Central Michigan University, and Boston University where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education.

A Conn-Selmer Artist/Educator, he has led concerts before esteemed audiences such as the CBDNA/NBA, Music for All National Concert Festival, and the Midwest Clinic. Marching Bands under his instruction received honors including participation in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade, 2009 & 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ranked top-ten nationally by the 2013 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and Bands of America Grand National Finalist. 

Dr. Vandewalker is a recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor, ten-NBA Citation of Excellence Awards, three National Wind Band Honors Awards, is recognized in multiple editions of Who's Who Among American Teachers, and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association.  David and his wife, Pamela, reside in Marietta where she is Minister of Creativity and Worship Programming at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church with over 900 children actively involved in music making each week.

Contagious Leadership: Steps for Becoming a Teacher/Leader

Teacher

The music school prepares us to be fantastic musicians with some good ideas on how to be a successful teacher. This session will explore principles for becoming a successful teacher/leader for building leadership communication, rapport, trust, motivation, recognition, praise, coaching of students, staff, administrators, and volunteers. Additionally, we will share how to create a contagious culture through the powerful tool of story.


How to Become a CEO of a People Oriented Small Business with a Serious Music Problem

Teacher

This interactive session explores practical tools to update your program into a successful small business designed to efficiently and effectively support music programs. The strategies shared will help any music program take a big leap and begin to thrive in an accelerated age. Three key components explored in this session are strategic planning, building leaders, and empowering a business blueprint.


Teaching Expressive Performance: A Literacy Approach

Teacher

CS Lewis maintains, “one doesn’t grasp the meaning of a word or concept until we have a clear image to connect it to in our mind.” This session is comprised of three parts: research into the significance of how students learn through figurative language, emotional communication and its application in music pedagogy, and creative strategies incorporating figurative language for common musical emblems and general musical skills with current literary excerpts regarding general musical moods.


David Vandewalker explaining to the classroom.

Enrichment Experiences For The Music Classroom

Learn about several enrichment experiences educators may want to explore incorporate relevant, real-life connection points including composer days, composition consortiums, guest artists, and concert camps.

Read More