Born in Retford, Nottinghamshire in 1987, Adam Walker taught himself to play the flute at the age of 9.  A year later he entered Chetham's School of Music, where he studied with Gitte Sorensen.  In September 2005 he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music where he studies with Michael Cox and in 2007 he was selected for representation by Young Concert Artists Trust (YCAT).

 

In 2002 Adam became the youngest ever winner of the British Flute Society Competition and in 2003 won the Royal Over-Seas League prize for the woodwind player with the most promise.  The following year he was a Concerto Finalist in the 2004 BBC Young Musicians Competition performing Nielsen's Flute Concerto with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ilan Volkov. In 2009 Adam won the MIDEM “Outstanding Young Artist of the Year” award.

 

As a soloist Adam has appeared with the Hallé Orchestra at Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall and with the City of Birmingham and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras.  His recital work has included his debut at the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany in 2007, appearances with Iain Burnside at Cadogan Hall, with London Conchord at Conway Hall and with harpist Sally Pryce and pianist John Reid throughout the UK including concerts at Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and in Paris and Madrid. He has given numerous radio broadcasts, including appearances on BBC Radio 3.

 

Engagements during 2008/09 include return visits to Wigmore Hall, concerts with Trevor Pinnock, a performance of Joe Duddell’s Flute and Harp Concerto at the Presteigne Festival and recitals at St. George’s Bristol and the Mozart BathFest.  This summer he made his debut at the BBC Proms in Messiaen‘s La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Thierry Fischer and appeared with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in the Barbican’s Mostly Mozart Festival.

 

At only 21 years of age, Adam has recently been appointed principal flute with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and has also played principal with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Sinfonietta.