Sally Walker is a renowned Australian flutist and music educator. She was born on August 16, 1969, in Sydney, Australia. Her parents were both musicians, and her father was a flutist. Sally grew up in a musical family and started playing the flute at the age of six. She showed exceptional talent and was soon recognized as a prodigy. Sally received her early music education from her father, who was her first teacher. She later studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with First Class Honors. She continued her studies at the Royal College of Music in London, where she earned a Master of Music degree with Distinction. Sally's career as a professional flutist began in the early 1990s. She quickly established herself as one of Australia's leading flutists and was in demand as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. She has performed with many of Australia's leading orchestras, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Sally has also performed extensively overseas, including in Europe, Asia, and the United States. She has appeared as a soloist with many international orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. One of Sally's most significant achievements as a soloist was her performance of the complete Bach Flute Sonatas and Partitas at the Sydney Opera House in 2000. The performance was a critical and commercial success and established Sally as one of the world's leading interpreters of Bach's music. Sally has also had a successful career as a chamber musician. She has performed with many of Australia's leading chamber ensembles, including the Australian String Quartet and the Goldner String Quartet. She has also collaborated with many international musicians, including pianist Angela Hewitt and cellist Steven Isserlis. In addition to her performing career, Sally is also a highly respected music educator. She has taught at many of Australia's leading music schools, including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian National Academy of Music. She is currently a professor of flute at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Sally has received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1993, she was awarded the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year Award. She has also been awarded the Australian Music Centre's Classical Music Award for Performance on several occasions. In 2018, Sally was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to music education and performance. The award recognized her outstanding contributions to the Australian music industry and her dedication to music education. Sally is also a passionate advocate for new music. She has commissioned and premiered many new works for the flute, including works by Australian composers Ross Edwards and Elena Kats-Chernin. She has also recorded several albums of contemporary flute music, including her critically acclaimed album "Invisible Dances." In conclusion, Sally Walker is one of Australia's most accomplished and respected classical musicians. Her exceptional talent as a flutist, her dedication to music education, and her passion for new music have made her a leading figure in the Australian music industry.

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