UCSB Music student, Donavan Walker, sits on a bed at centerstage while an ensemble plays his original compositions for his Senior Recital, Layers. The showcase tackled the issues of sleep, creativity, and personal growth.
By Claire Yacoboski
UC Santa Barbara Music student and composer Donavan Walker invited his audience to consider a thought-provoking question: "What if nightmares are meant to be pleasant…what if dreams are nightmares we’ve conquered?"
This question set the stage for Layers, his senior recital and the culmination of four years of creative work as a Vision Fellow with the Office of Black Student Development. Held at Lotte Lehmann Concert hall, Layers was more than a concert—it was a fully immersive, story-driven experience.
Through original compositions and live performances, Walker translated his reflections on sleep, creativity, and personal growth into music. He described the way his racing mind often kept him up at night, only to realize that this restless energy fueled his creative process rather than hindered it.
UCSB Music student, Donavan Walker, shares his original compositions in his senior recital: Layers.
His showcase combined imaginative set design, voice acting, and a diverse array of instruments, including flute, drums, clarinet, and more, crafting a dreamscape that captivated concertgoers. At the center of the stage sat a bed, where Walker tossed and turned as the music swirled around him, visually embodying his struggle with sleeplessness and inspiration.
The evening built to a dramatic climax with a full ensemble performance. As the final notes faded, Walker shared a sentiment that expressed the essence of his creative journey: The creative process can be exhausting, but the rewards are always worth it.
Claire Yacoboski is a fourth-year Communication major at UC Santa Barbara. She is a Web and Social Media intern with the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts.