Cuban born violinist Yalira M. Walker performs regularly as a chamber musician, and orchestral musician across the United States. At an early age, Yalira, was awarded top prizes in the Amadeo Roldan State and National Violin Competition, celebrated in Havana in 1994, 1996, and 2002. Formerly concertmaster of Havana’s Youth Symphony Orchestra and Gran Teatro de la Habana Symphony Orchestra, she was also a member of the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra and the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Symphony Orchestra, both in Mexico. As a member of Camerata Romeu from 2004 to 2007, she took part in several recordings, including “Raigal,” “Tampa-Habana-Oslo,” “Non-Divisi", and “Saudaçoes.” 

Since moving to the United States in 2012, she took part in the recording of the CD “Improbable Encounters” with music by Joseph Klein. She has held section violin position with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, and Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She had also been Associate Concertmaster with the Midland- Odessa Symphony and Choral,  Principal Second Violin with the Lima Symphony Orchestra and Guest Concertmaster with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra and Tyson-Mclean Symphony Orchestra. Currently she is part of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and plays regularly with Maryland Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony Orchestra, and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. 

A devoted teacher, Ms. Walker had taught at Paulita Conception Conservatory in Havana, Cuba, and Jose Jacinto Cuevas Music Center, in Yucatan, Mexico. She has also served on the faculty of Esperanza Azteca Monterrey Symphony Orchestra, the Mexican equivalent of “El Sistema”. Currently she has her private studio in Ellicott City, MD. 

Yalira holds a Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, a Master in Music from the University of North Texas, and a Professional Studies Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Among her teachers are Maria Verdecia, Augusto Diago, Evelio Tieles, Gary Levinson, Felix Olschofka, Nathan Olson, William Preucil and Joan Kwuon.