Cindy Yuan ’26 Combines Portraits with Buddhist Philosophy
In-depth summer research on Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy sparked this senior’s newest photography project.
Transformative Gifts to The Ethel Walker School
Walker's welcomes two significant gifts that will advance our performing arts program and beautify our campus.
Five Walker’s Artists Receive Scholastic Art Awards
The work of seven Walker’s artists has been selected for Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Art Galleries
Walker’s offers two formal galleries for visiting artists and community members, including alumnae, to exhibit their work. Artists exhibit for approximately seven weeks, with the opening of the show celebrated with a reception that is open to the public and the Walker’s community. During receptions, students are invited to discuss the exhibited artwork with the artist, with many visiting artists conducting workshops for students in Walker’s visual art studios. Artists interested in exhibiting their work should contact Ben Barker at bbarker@ethelwalker.org or +1-860-408-4263.
Meet the Faculty
Ben Barker
Visual Arts Faculty
Ben Barker earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia in England and is a graduate of the Connecticut Film Industry Training Program from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Ben spent over 20 years in the environmental industry conducting laboratory analysis, mobile laboratory site investigations and indoor air quality studies. He is a State of Connecticut Department of Health Services-certified Environmental Laboratory Director. After leaving the scientific arena, Ben pursued his life-long love of photography and film by working in locations management for film and television productions in New York City and Connecticut. He is also a seasoned and qualified soccer coach, having coached the game for 15 years. Over that period he has coached all youth ages from two to 18 years old.
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Marissa Forde P'28, '31
Visual Arts Faculty
Marissa, a Simsbury native, joined the Walker’s community in the winter of 2011 after beginning her teaching career in the local public school system. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art with a focus on Illustration from Jacksonville University, and her master’s degree in education from the University of Hartford. She holds certifications in both art education and elementary education. Marissa teaches multiple visual arts classes, including Middle School Art, Drawing and Painting, Studio Art, Ceramics, and AP Art. Marissa is passionate about engaging girls in art by encouraging her students to explore how artistic creations are born through the solving of problems.
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Laurie MacAlpine P'08
Music Department Chair
Laurie MacAlpine came to Walker’s in 1998 and has expanded the music program to address the needs of a growing student body. She earned her bachelor’s degree in science with a minor in vocal music from Ladycliff College and went on to receive her master’s in music composition from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. An accomplished musician, she studied composition and theory with Arnold Franchetti, classical guitar with Janet Marlowe, and piano with Bridget de Moura Castro. Before coming to Walker’s, Laurie owned her own piano and classical guitar studio for 10 years and started four independent music programs for home school associations in Connecticut. She has conducted several children’s choirs in churches throughout Hartford and is currently the cantor at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. At Walker’s, she has expanded the music program to include a gospel choir and a chamber choir (Voce Felice), Upper and Middle School orchestra, a handbell choir, and chamber ensembles. In October 2006, she was awarded The Natalie Galbraith Mitchell Chair in the Humanities for her work at the school. She is currently a member of Simsbury Town Band in the clarinet section.
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Katelyn Rodriguez
Art Faculty and Middle School Coordinator
During her undergraduate studies, Katelyn expanded her artistic and curatorial experience through programs in Miami at Art Basel and in New York at the New York Academy of Art Summer Residency Programs. These opportunities further strengthened her technical skills and broadened her perspective as an artist.
In 2023, she completed her master’s degree in Teacher Leadership at Central Connecticut State University, focusing on equity, justice, anti-racist pedagogy, innovative instructional practices, and restorative approaches in education.
Katelyn is deeply aligned with Walker’s mission and is dedicated to enriching the student experience, fostering creative growth, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
Cheri Soule
Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, Director of Dance
Cheri Soule is the Director of the Dance Program at Walker’s. She teaches modern, jazz, ballet, composition, and improvisation in both the Upper and Middle School programs. In addition to running the dance program she is the advisor to several student-run dance clubs on campus as well as the 10th Grade Class Dean. She received an MFA in Dance from Smith College, a B.S. in Dance from SUNY Brockport, and a B.A. in Fine Arts from Eastern Connecticut State University. Cheri has danced professionally with The New England Dance Theatre and The Judy Dworin Performance Project. She has also served on the faculty at Springfield College and as visiting artist at Trinity College. Her favorite part about being at Walker’s is the chance to teach, rehearse, and collaborate with such enthusiastic young dancers.
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