Chad Walker graduated with a music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1994. After a short stint as a musician on a cruise ship, Chad started an apprentice program with Ed Strege at Badger State Repair (an overhaul shop in southeast Wisconsin). From there, he was hired by Bill Mathews at the Music Shoppe in Champaign-Urbana and took over managing their repair department when Bill left for another position. In 1999 Chad started his own shop in Macomb, IL and began working for Western Illinois University, maintaining the School of Music’s instruments and teaching a repair course. He currently works in the University of Iowa School of Music and teach a course in instrument repair. Chad lives in Iowa City with his wife Tammie (Director of the University of Iowa School of Music) and their four children. He repairs both woodwind and brass instruments. Due to his extensive training he is equally skilled repairing both, and enjoys the variety that offers. Chad is Straubinger certified and a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians.