Kari Walton (She/Her/Hers) is the founder and Executive Director of Prairie Music & Arts. She has degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and the University of Louisville and has taught music from early childhood to adults for over thirty years. She has led Prairie Music & Arts since 1999 and manages general operations, program development, fundraising, and outreach. A belief that the arts should be accessible to all, she has created grant projects and partnerships that have served youth with artistic experiences throughout the Dane County area.
It was during her time as a high school student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts that Kari experienced the interconnectedness of the arts. In her words, “I was fortunate to experience musicians and artists from around the world who greatly shaped my teaching and approach to the arts. Whether it’s learning a musical instrument, drawing a picture, or playing a character in a play, the arts fill us up as human beings, connect us, and give us the means to express ourselves. It is my hope that Prairie Music & Arts will offer our community positive and holistic moments for artistic exploration, personal growth, and collaboration.”
Originally from Georgia, Kari has lived throughout the Southeast and considers North Carolina her adopted home state. When not at Prairie Music & Arts, Kari serves on the board of directors for the Madison-based Mosaic Chamber Players and Opera for the Young, and is happiest in her garden, paddling, and spending time with family.