There is no doubt that the life of Corey Walden was destined from a very early age to be centered around music. A by-chance demonstration of stringed classical music by local music students in his Kindergarten class initiated his love affair with the violin from almost before he can remember. Before he had grown enough to handle the smallest of violins, he studied recorder – then he was allowed to pursue violin studies, and soon distinguished himself with rapid advancement through the Suzuki Violin Method. Soon he joined the Kensington Classical Quartet as First/Second Violin, all the while continuing lessons with well-known classical instructors in Oakville, Burlington and Toronto. Over time he was a Violinist for the Halton Youth Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and a student guest violinist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
He then studied Applied Music at Mohawk College, after which he began his successful career teaching private classical violin lessons using the Suzuki Method of violin instruction to students ranging in age from pre-school to retired adults. Subsequently, he completed Suzuki Pedagogy at the Suzuki String School of Guelph, and then went on to obtain Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the Suzuki Teacher Training Program at Queens University, Kingston, Ontario. He has performed with the Oakville Symphony and also served as Principal Second for the Guelph Chamber Orchestra.
But, classical music was never his complete interest. While still in school, he studied the Bass Guitar and performed in both the Oakville heavy metal rock group REDRUM and the Black Satin Jazz Quintet (Oakville) which, incidentally won the right to represent Ontario at the Banff Jazz Festival. He was violinist and backup vocalist with Painted Horse, a four-decades pop-rock cover band. He has, as well, performed as a guest violinist for various weddings, churches, corporate functions, dinner parties and special events.
But Celtic Rock has, in recent years, become his passion. Four years ago, he partnered with Steve Ashley and the result has been the unique sound and unqualified success of Hunting McLeod as a premier performing group within the Celtic Rock genre. With this group, he has travelled extensively throughout the United States and Canada and is recognized for his energy, his polish and his passion for this music – music which excites audiences of all ages. The opportunity for him to write, arrange, and perform in the Celtic Rock form, while still enjoying the fruits of the true classical background of his instrument, provide to him the ideal mix around which he centers his life.
And he believes many more good things are yet to come!!!!
Corey is a:
Corey Walden
Residence: Burlington, ON, Canada
Instruments: Violin, Mandolin, Vocals, Electric Bass, Recorder