He almost didn’t join his high school choir junior year due to being shy. Now, he’s performing on the national tour of one of the world’s most beloved Broadway musicals, Les Misérables (Les Miz). Southern Miss alumnus David Walker ’21 is captivating audiences with his majestic voice as part of the ensemble, touring the U.S. with this Tony Award®-winning musical phenomenon. From Marsh Hall at The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Music to world stages, he is living the dream of performers everywhere.
Finding his Path
“Funny enough, I had little involvement in the arts growing up,” Walker recalled. Raised in New Orleans, he dabbled briefly with instruments in elementary school before shifting his focus to science, dreaming of a career in neurology. However, during his junior year of high school, Walker had a realization after joining the choir. “I’ve always loved singing, but I was shy and had never engaged in an organized setting. Learning how to read music and fitting into an ensemble felt exhilarating. My brain was working in ways it hadn’t before. That’s when it hit me—this was something I was good at.”
Though his time in high school choir was brief, it laid the foundation for his future. “I learned three habits that have stuck with me to this day: to be early is to be on time, be prepared to put in the work, and be accountable in your work and with your peers. Those principles apply to any career path.”
From Southern Miss to World Stages
At Southern Miss–where he obtained a Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in Choral Pedagogy and a Master of Music in voice graduate degree–Walker found a community and opportunities that expanded his horizons. “Before Southern Miss, I’d only been to Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. Through the Southern Chorale, I had the privilege of traveling to New York City, Norway, Sweden and South Korea—experiences that transformed my perspective and shaped my worldview.”
Walker credits much of his growth to his mentors, including Dr. Meredith Johnson, Dr. Maryann Kyle, Dr. Jonathan Yarrington, Dr. Gregory Fuller, Dr. Jonathan Kilgore, and Dr. Jay Dean. “Their guidance and support were instrumental in my studies and career preparation.”
There was a moment during the pandemic when Walker found himself at a crossroads, uncertain about whether he was on the right path. But he soon experienced a turning point. While participating in the summer opera program at the Utah Vocal Arts Academy, he took part in an opera competition, where he won third place and received a special award from renowned opera singer Deborah Voigt.
“I won third place in an opera competition and received a special award from none other than Deborah Voigt. Her encouragement came at a time when I was questioning my path. It gave me the push I needed to keep going,” Walker recalled. Receiving recognition and support from an opera icon of Deborah Voigt’s stature became the inspiration he needed to reaffirm his commitment to his journey—a journey that has undoubtedly paid off today.
Since graduating, Walker has been on a steady climb in the performing arts world, showcasing his versatility as a performer cross-trained in many vocal styles. His career highlights include international choral tours and regional theater and opera, including landing roles with FestivalSouth, Opera Mississippi and Hub City Players.
Most recently, he joined the Disney Cruise Line as a mainstage cast member. “The travel opportunities were incredible—Europe, Australia, New Zealand. But the real highlights were the moments with the guests, especially the children and sharing insights into life as a cruise ship performer.”
Being Relentless in the Pursuit for the Extraordinary
Last March, Walker decided it was time to take the next step in his career: move to New York City. He auditioned for nearly 20 productions before landing his dream role in Les Miz.“Getting the call from my agent was surreal. To be part of one of the most beloved musicals ever is an incredible honor.”
Now, months into the tour, Walker is relishing every moment. “This show has been around for nearly four decades, and it’s just as timely and poignant as ever. Everyone in this cast holds a high standard for the performance, and it’s amazing to connect with fans who love this story.”
Balancing the demands of an eight-show week with life on the road is no easy feat. “This is a three-hour show with heavy subject material. Combine that with moving to a new city every week, and it can take a toll. It’s important to take time for yourself—whether that’s seeing a movie, visiting a museum, or going on a hike—to reset and come back refreshed.”
Reflecting on his journey, Walker shared advice for aspiring performers. “Most of your time will be spent preparing for auditions, while facing rejection. Be relentless and fall in love with the process. Don’t forget to stay competitive by learning new skills and developing your social media presence. People will look for you online, so make sure your pages reflect your work; and most importantly, this industry is smaller than you think, so just be a good person. It goes a long way.”
Walker is savoring every moment with Les Miz, but he has lofty goals. “I plan to stay with the show for a while, but I’d love to do another tour or two, maybe even being on Broadway one day. I’ve also dreamed of recording a jazz or musical theatre album. We’ll see what the future holds!”
What he hopes you take away from his story? Like we say at Southern Miss, “Be relentless in the pursuit for the extraordinary!”