S1 E03 Brother Porter Wilkes

Porter was born to Koray and Christy Wilkes, raised in Wichita, Kansas he was also blessed to be close to his grandparents Roger and Dorothy Lawrence. The youngest of two boys, Porter spent his childhood in the sandbox or climbing trees, building Lego sets or riding bikes with his brother, doing his best to avoid schoolwork. In high school, he tried many things, from tennis to piano tuning and repair, guitar lessons to ceramics class, Scouting to photography. Porter earned his Eagle Scout Rank in 2014 and graduated high school in 2015. After one year of college, the early summer of 2016 saw him off on a two year mission to Romania and the Republic of Moldova. In the fall of 2018, he returned to finish a degree in violin and piano performance at Friends University. Graduating in December of 2021, Porter began a year of “now what?” where he grew his private music studio, played several gigs, made new friends and did lots of traveling. Still feeling unsatisfied, he began a masters of music in violin performance at Wichita State University. Set to graduate this spring, Porter is excited to peruse his many post-graduation plans. 

Porter is currently self employed as a free-lance musician and private piano and violin instructor. He is also the accompanist for music theatre classes at WSU, the Wichita Broadway Singers, and the organist for Hillside Christian Church. 

In the church, Porter has been Elders Quorum President, Ward Mission Leader, Ward Choir Pianist, Ward Organist, served on many committees and stacked many chairs. He is now the Stake Music Coordinator where he helps plan music for church meetings, organize musical events, accompany the stake choir on piano, and occasionally conducts stake orchestras. 

His personal interests include reading, traveling, running, and all things Volkswagen.