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Tracy Walker has always had a passion for music and theater.
In 7th grade at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School in Madison, Wisconsin, she noticed that students in the Band were allowed to leave Math class early for rehearsal. Wanting the same privilege, she decided to join the Band. Although she initially wanted to play drums, the Band Director discouraged her, saying, "Girls don't play drums." She then opted for trumpet but was again told it wasn’t an instrument for girls. Her friend Tess, who played clarinet, suggested she try it because it was easier and acceptable for girls. This marked the beginning of her love for music. That same year, she was cast in a skit performed before the entire school. Despite her fear, stepping on stage revealed her passion for performing.
While attending Edgewood High School, Tracy played clarinet in the Concert, Pep, and Stage Bands, and learned bari sax to participate in the Jazz Ensemble. She earned several college scholarships and musical accolades and was recognized in "Who's Who Among American High School Musicians." After graduating, she accompanied a friend, Jay, to an audition with the Stage Coach Players theater group, where she was asked to read with him and ultimately cast as the lead in the production.
Tracy pursued higher education at both Edgewood College and the University of Wisconsin (Madison), majoring in Music and Education. She taught herself trumpet to secure a place in the prestigious UW Marching Band, directed by Professor Michael Leckrone, where she met her future husband, Bill Walker, a trumpet soloist. During her time in the band, she appeared in McDonald's commercials, performed in "Lenny's Inferno" with fellow band members, and acted in the film "Back to School," partly shot on the UW campus.
After Bill graduated, the couple moved to South Carolina and welcomed their daughters, Rebecca and Sarah. Even there, they remained deeply involved in music, playing in various community and church bands. Bill wanted to form a Brass Quintet but needed a French horn player. Encouraging Tracy, he said, "You should learn French horn — it's just like playing trumpet" (which it wasn’t). Tracy returned to college, majored in French horn, and joined Bill’s Brass Quintet.
The family eventually returned to Madison, Wisconsin, where they immersed themselves in music, working as Field Assistants with the UW Marching Band and playing with the UW Alumni Band, Edgewood College Concert Community Band, and Edgewood College Jazz Ensemble. With some free time, they founded the Red Hot Horn Dawgs, a rock & soul, rhythm & blues show band, where Tracy arranged music and played trumpet, flugelhorn, and auxiliary percussion. After over 20 years, the band continues to thrive. While studying and working at Edgewood College, she had small roles in "The Edgewood College Story, A Musical," directed by Dr. Phil Martin for the college’s 75th Jubilee. Theater Major Audrey Lauren Wax invited her to audition for a show she was directing. Despite initial reluctance, Tracy auditioned and rediscovered her passion for theater. In 2005, she earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Music and Theater Production & Design from Edgewood College, performing in and directing numerous plays. After graduation, the family relocated to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where they currently reside. In 2012, she completed a Master’s Degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Strategic Leadership at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Tracy has also had the privilege of studying Acting and Directing with Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, and Ron Howard.
Still active in music, Tracy and Bill formed The Atomic Horns band and continue to perform with Soul Candy & the Traffic Jam band, where Tracy sings and plays trumpet and auxiliary percussion. She founded Footlights Productions, acts in and directs numerous local theater shows, portrays Ma McCoy (swing) in the popular "The Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Feud" in Pigeon Forge, TN, and appears in TV and film roles throughout central and eastern Tennessee.
She loves her work and credits the unwavering support of her husband Bill, daughters Becca and Sarah, granddaughters Olivia and Maisie, and their household full of dogs and cats for making it all possible.
