Madam Monday - Who is Naima Burrs?
Ms. Burrs pictured in between her full days
I reserve Mondays to recognize jet-setting women who are making great strides in their communities. I call these features "Madam Mondays!"
Have you ever been amazed by the music of an orchestra? Or seen the conductor with the baton, wondering their story? Have you ever asked what it takes to be the person directing the melody? This Madam Monday features answers these questions and more.
This Monday we ask,
"Who is Naima Burrs?"
Music. Art. Life.
These three words sum of the passion of this dedicated musician, Youtube devotee, and future conductor.
Music is a feeling and not just a technical showcase - a lifestyle; a way of being.
Naima Burrs starts her day at 6:45am by reading and studying music and scores. She then heads to her alma mater, Appomattox Regional Governors' School for the Arts and Technology in Petersburg, VA, to conduct, lead sectionals, and teach lessons. She now serves as the orchestra assistant. After teaching class, she heads off to one of her studios to teach private lessons, ending her day at around 8:30 p.m.
Ms Burrs and her mother, Lisa Burrs, pictured in Ireland
Ms. Burrs has been playing for 15 years. Music has always been a part of my life," says Ms. Burrs. Ms. Burrs was exposed to the world of music at a very young age. Her mother, Lisa Burrs, is a soprano opera singer and professor of music who saw the gift within Naima at a very young age. "My mom is a wonderful vocalist and my biggest inspiration. I can't say that I always knew I would be a musician, but I was definitely always surrounded by music. As many kids would be happy watching cartoons or fun shows, I was as easily satisfied watching operas as I was watching Barney!"
Ms. Burrs realized she wanted to be a violinist when she was in the fourth grade. The Richmond Symphony came to her a school, and from that moment on she had her eyes set on the violin.
Ms. Burrs has played at the Kennedy Center as concertmaster of a newly composed opera; she has gone on a concert tour around Ireland, performing with her mother; and most recently Ms. Burrs traveled to Halifax - Nova Scotia, Canada to participate in the Scotia Festival of Music. This music festival accepts applications from around the world, and only 12 violinists make the cut. Ms. Burrs was one of those artists.
Ms. Burrs pictured with her violin
My experience in Canada is one that I will never forget. Connecting with musicians from all over the world that I still keep in touch with is priceless.
Her motivation changes day-to-day. "As a musician, we often wear many hats; as a woman we do as well. So, on any given day, I am a teacher, mentor, violinist, girlfriend, daughter...the list goes on. When i see the twinkle in their eye, or their parents' eyes, the moment that they make a beautiful sound or start to really enjoy what they are working on."
When I am their support system, when they feel the struggles of trying to become a better musician, I myself, am motivated because I am reminded of where I started.
With her demanding schedule, self-care and preservation is a priority. Last July, Ms. Burrs became a vegan. She's noticed that since, her energy and health has become much better.
Ms. Burrs pictured with Annie Sophie Mutter, a German violinist
She also focuses on people of greatness who have achieved and made great strides. One of these people being Annie Sophie Mutter, a German violinist, and arguably the best violinist of the century. "She embodies everything I believe about music. She is the one artist that I feel like I agree with 100% of the time. Her interpretation of music is always what I feel in my soul; she is my idea of the ultimate musician. She never rushes through a phrase; every note has a purpose and meaning." Ms. Burrs had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Mutter in February, and Ms. Burrs deems the moment one of her best days yet.
Along with her already busy schedule, Ms. Burrs will be conducing her first performance on Saturday, October 25th. "[The concert is] a baroque pastiche put together by a colleague in Richmond. Some of my best friends will be in the orchestra and it will be an awesome experience for me!" Following that, she will spend a week traveling back and forth to Lynchburg to perform with "Opera on the James."
Ms. Burrs pictured in between her full days
To the question, "Do you believe that women can have it all?" Ms. Burrs responds with a resounding "YES!!!!!!" However, she does it feel will take much effort on the part of women of color. She articulates that she is trying to make and deliver, musically.
Not only am I black, but I am a woman - you don't see many of us in the classical realm. One positive aspect of that is that my experience is different than others, so what I bring to the table will be unique. It is important to me that I am present and that my voice is heard. I believe that if I can live up to all of this, it will be hard for anyone to deny me.
En route to becoming an Artistic Director for an opera company and obtaining another violin degree, Ms. Burrs hopes that she is remembered as someone who made a difference. "I want to always treat people well and I always want to be easy to work with - no matter what type of success I may experience throughout life."
She lives by the following mandates:
Be Kind. Work Hard. Stay Humble. Smile Often. Stay Loyal. Keep Honest. Travel When Possible. Never Stop Learning. Be Thankful, Always. And Love
