Tucked inside the historic walls of the U.S. Naval Academy is a creative pulse that’s been keeping time for decades. Navy Beats, one of the Academy’s most dynamic extracurricular activities, blends tradition, technology, and pure passion for music - proving that even in a regimented environment, creativity thrives.
While the format has evolved, the mission remains the same: Bringing people together through music. Today, Navy Beats focuses on live DJ performances and studio production, supporting events across the Yard and giving midshipmen a creative outlet unlike any other.
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One midshipman who found that outlet is David Walker, who joined Navy Beats during the spring semester of 2024. An English major in the Class of 2027, Walker discovered the club through a casual conversation that quickly turned into something much bigger. He had been talking with a friend about his desire to produce and record his own music when the Navy Beats club came up. “So, I reached out and was thankfully able to be a part of it.”
Midshipman Walker now serves as the treasurer of Navy Beats, a role that puts him at the center of both creativity and logistics. He manages funds earned through performances and helps decide what recording and studio equipment the club needs next - everything from DJ setup upgrades to specialized recording equipment. Midshipman Camryn Harris leads the organization as president and Midshipman Julian Ford serves as vice president, also guiding the club’s vision and growth.
That sense of escape and connection draws a wide range of talent. About 40 midshipmen are currently involved, including DJs, producers, and instrumentalists. Some thrive behind a full DJ setup, making music at events, while others focus on the technical side of music creation, fine-tuning volume mastering, experimenting with sound libraries, and building tracks from the ground up.
Walker works primarily on the production side, recording alternative Christian music and R&B. Behind the scenes, the studio is always buzzing. Most producers record themselves, using professional-grade recording equipment to bring their ideas to life. When collaboration is needed, others are brought in, but independence and experimentation are encouraged. “In more recent years, members of Navy Beats have made albums in-house here at the Naval Academy and done very successfully - with some artists having over a million listeners on Spotify,” notes Harris.
On the production side, Navy Beats relies heavily on MIDI controllers and digital audio workstations (DAWs). These tools allow midshipmen to record multiple instruments, manipulate sound, and access a wide range of virtual instruments that might not physically exist in the studio. The result is creative freedom paired with technical precision, which is a rare balance in such a demanding academic environment.
The group also regularly supports events on and around the Yard, including pep rallies, company EOLs (end of liberty), sports games, and military balls, to name a few. They keep the beat moving for the Brigade!
For Walker, one of the most rewarding parts of Navy Beats is the unexpected connections it creates. “It's always really cool seeing people join the club and finding out that some of my closest friends are also passionate about making music, which I wouldn't have been able to know if it hadn't been for the club.”
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As of March 2, 2026, general public visitation and tours at the U.S. Naval Academy are suspended until further notice. Those with DoW or DBIDS ID cards will be allowed to walk or drive onto the Naval Academy yard through Gate 8, however, guided tours are temporarily unavailable.