It is with great sadness that the National Youth Music Theatre has learned of the death of Jeremy Walker. Jeremy died with his family at his side earlier today, 28 November, after a long illness.

Contributions to a book of condolence for Jeremy’s family may be made through NYMT at the email address [email protected].

Jeremy was CEO and Artistic Director at NYMT for more than twelve years, following a period as musical director. He led NYMT on a considerable expansion of its work, increasing the number of productions and workshops delivered by the charity and allowing NYMT to reach more children and young adults than it had done for many years. His commitment to new writing saw more than a dozen productions of new works, a programme that continues to make an invaluable contribution to contemporary British musical theatre writing.

During Jeremy’s tenure as CEO and among dozens of productions, NYMT produced the West End premiere of Jason Robert Brown’s 13, directed by the composer, and won awards and nominations for its productions of Brass and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Jeremy oversaw celebrations of the charity’s 35th and 40th Anniversary celebrations and introduced the hugely popular annual Christmas Celebration. He helped navigate NYMT through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, as it continued to offer much-needed opportunities for young people at a time when those opportunities were so limited.

Until 2022, Jeremy worked at NYMT alongside his full-time role as the Director of Music at Westminster Under School, a post he had held since 1988. An experienced professional musician, Jeremy’s influence – not just as a CEO, but as a teacher and role model – has been felt by thousands of young people.

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‘14 years ago, Jeremy welcomed me into the NYMT Family as a choreographer, and here I am now as the Artistic Director, thanks to his belief in me. His passion for youth music theatre and for important stories being told has inspired me to continue telling these stories. Jeremy will always be an “old friend” as Sondheim says in one of Jeremy’s favourite musicals, Merrily We Roll Along.’
Artistic Director, Chris Cuming

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‘Jeremy served NYMT with extraordinary dedication for more than fifteen years, initially as an audition accompanist, and rising quickly to become a Musical Director and subsequently leading the charity. As we approach NYMT’s 50th Anniversary, we are indebted to Jeremy for what he has given. 

‘Today we join so many of those who have benefitted from NYMT’s work in recent times, and those who have been taught by Jeremy over his more than 40-year teaching career, in a profound feeling of loss. Our thoughts are with his family, and with our friends and colleagues who worked so closely with him.’
CEO, Adrian Packer CBE