Stirring My Soul to Sing: Overcoming ADHD through Song

Stirring My Soul to Sing: Overcoming ADHD Through Song shares the personal events of W. Ian Walker’s life as an arts consultant, musician, “singer-actor,” chorister, and music director. His life story is one of faith and arts awareness in overcoming many obstacles associated with attention deficit hyper-activity disorder—ADHD. Behind the lyrics, melodies, and ovations, Ian experienced verbal abuse, school bullying, poor academic standing, employment instability, financial hardship, and divorce. Offering insight into an “artistic life” as an alternative to medication, Ian shares very personal details of the joys and sorrows of adapting to this disorder.

Ian began his vocal career as bass-baritone and chorister with the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir (TMYC) in 1980s. In 1981, he participated in the Young Artist Vocal Program of Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), where he met Leonard Bernstein and interacted with other well-known classical musicians and artists. Ian writes about his vocal and opera studies and mentors, including Robert Cooper, C.M. (Conductor), Canadian and international icon, the late Maureen Forester, C.C., and producer and choral entrepreneur the late Nicholas Goldschmidt, C.C. Especially influential is Ian’s long-lasting friendship with Canadian and international soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, O.C.

While Ian can recall more than forty years of a successful performance career with some of North America’s greatest musicians and Christian artists, he has dealt with ADHD for a lifetime. In this, he is not a performer—he is an overcomer.