Brooke Burnette grew up around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but the Columbus, Ohio, native moved to Frederick during her last year at the University of Maryland at College Park due to internship with The Frederick News-Post.
She dropped the journalism lifestyle to work in financial services for First Data, but one thing that’s remained constant throughout her moves on the East Coast is her love for music. Burnette has performed with the Frederick Symphony Orchestra since 2002. We sat down with the violinist, and here’s what we learned:
Who inspires you the most?
“I would say everybody in the Orchestra, and since being involved with personnel, I have gotten to know more people. [It’s] not only performing with everybody, but the willingness to go the extra mile to find people to fill in spots and put things together. Everybody’s just excited, and nobody is getting paid. This is all volunteer, and it’s just a great feeling.”
Who’s your dream duet?
“If I wasn’t too nervous, I would play with Joshua Bell. I’d like to meet either him or Yo-Yo Ma.”
What was your first instrument?
“From what I remember, I was 8 or so at the time. [My parents] gave [me and my sister] the choice of flute or violin, and I picked violin. We did play instruments at school, which was a big help. We had a good music program.”
When and where was your first concert?
“I’m sure it was in elementary school because we had an orchestra there. The first thing I remember playing that made a big impact was with a district orchestra [in Pennsylvania], and we played Egmont Overture [by] Beethoven, so that’s what I first remember. I’ve always loved that piece since then because you get that same feeling coming back.”
Why do you love music?
“There’s something different about playing with a group of people, and [with] this particular group of people, everybody really loves what they’re doing, and I think it’s the feeling you get from putting everything together. That in itself is inspirational. I think, especially with certain pieces throughout my career with the Orchestra, you remember how you felt while you were playing. It’s not so much playing for the audience – Although, I think you get a kick out of that. It’s the excitement of a live performance, which not many people get to see anymore.”
How has music changed your life?
“You get those feelings out of playing and practicing. Just practicing at home is like meditation, and it makes you forget everything else, and it helps you clear your mind and concentrate. It just makes you feel better.”