Known for his dynamic
and inspiring leadership on and off the podium, Shawn Burke-Storer is making a profound musical impact throughout the Mid-Atlantic
Region and beyond. His interpretations and performances have been called everything from “substantial”
to “memorable” and “stellar” to “orgasmic”. He has been praised by
musicians, boards and audiences alike for his versatility in working with musicians of all levels, always soliciting the highest
level of artistry. Currently, he is Music Director of the Light Opera Company of Southern Maryland, Principal
Guest Conductor of the Richmond Philharmonic and Assistant Conductor of the Prince George’s Philharmonic.
He has served as Music Director of the Charles Street Chamber Players and the Tantalus Chamber Orchestra, Assistant
Conductor of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and Assistant and Cover Conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra on multiple occasions.
Hailed as a “hip, young, upcoming talent” by the Towson Times, his recent and upcoming guest conducting
engagements include appearances with the Washington Savoyards (DC), the Forgotten Opera Company (DC), the Symphony Orchestras
of Lafayette (IN) and Londontowne (MD) and the Catholic University Opera Theatre. Equally at home in orchestral,
operatic, contemporary and musical theatre genres, his recent and upcoming stage work includes performances of Iolanthe, Man
of la Mancha, the Merry Widow, the Mikado, Naughty Marietta, the Old Maid and the Thief and Tartuffe. He
was also recently chosen as one of twenty-four conductors from around the world to participate in the Vakhtang Jordania International
Conducting Competition in Kharkov, Ukraine.
While remaining firmly rooted
in classical traditions and styles, he is an advocate of performing new music by living composers, having commissioned and
performed music by some of America’s most promising young talents. In addition, he conducted the
world premiere of his own work, Dolorous Abyss: Reflections on Dante’s Inferno. His performance of
Libby Larsen’s Ring of Fire with the Peabody Concert Orchestra prompted the composer to write, “Mr. [Burke-] Storer’s
performance was stellar. The orchestra was crisp and clean, executing the rhythm with precision, and the
textures were brilliantly balanced.” As an avid collaborator with other arts mediums and organizations,
he has conducted for numerous special events including the opening dedication of Peabody Conservatory’s Griswold Hall,
the presentation of Nectar and Ambrosia: an Evening of Music and Art with the Tantalus Chamber Orchestra and headed a collaborative
project between the BCO and the Maryland Film Festival.
 |
|
Mr. Burke-Storer holds
a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting from the Catholic University of America, a Masters Degree in Orchestral Conducting
from the Peabody Conservatory, a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist
University, and furthered his training as an inaugural member of the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival.
Described as an engaging public speaker, Mr. Burke-Storer has participated in numerous pre-concert discussions, television
and radio interviews and has been a frequent guest on WBJC 91.5 FM Baltimore’s Classical Station and CNN Headline News.
His principal teachers include Gustav Meier, Murry Sidlin, Kate Tamarkin, David Zinman, Markand Thakar and David Searle.
He has participated in conducting master classes with Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, Jorma Panula, Donald Thulean,
James Conlon and Jonathan Sternberg. A firm believer in the importance of Music Education for all ages,
Mr. Burke-Storer taught Basic Conducting and Advanced Instrumental Conducting at Catholic University and served as Conductor
of the Chesapeake Youth Concert Orchestra for five seasons. His course, Behind the Scenes at the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra,
offered through Johns Hopkins University Odyssey received outstanding reviews. Dedicated to the community
in which he lives, he served for three years as a Mayoral appointed member of the Greenbelt City Council Arts Advisory Board.
As a trombonist, he has performed in such world-renowned venues as the Meyerson Symphony Center, the John F. Kennedy
Center and Carnegie Hall.
|
