Thomas Walker Jr., started classical guitar lessons at age 10 with Thomas York.  He acquired an interest in the 12-string guitar stylings of Leo Kottke a couple years later and devoted several years to performing music in that style.  Some of his ongoing music studies were directed by John McNally at the MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis, MN.  Thomas decided to return to classical music study in college where he studied classical guitar with Glen Larson at Northwestern College in Roseville, MN, and music theory under Ona Pinsonneault at Normandale Community College.  Other than revitalizing his interest in classical music generally, it introduced him to the earlier musical vocabulary of counterpoint. After college, he studied jazz guitar independently, and became increasingly fascinated with early music.  He bought his first lute in 1992, which mostly languished until Thomas heard Phillip Rukavina in concerts with countertenor Brian Link.  Thomas began studies with Phil Rukavina shortly thereafter, and graduated to colleague some years later. Additionally, Thomas has taken master classes and lessons with lutenists Nigel North, Paul Berget, Edward Martin, Ronn McFarlane, and Lucas Harris. In addition to working with Phillip, Thomas has performed with Ensemble Polaris, Consortium Carissimi (stateside), the Rose Ensemble, and various members of the Lyra Baroque.  Thomas also served a term as treasurer for Lyra from 2003-2006.  In regular hours he works as a consulting economist to privately-held businesses.