SCS alumnus and current Schenectady County Community College School of Music student Burke Herrick has won the 2018 VSA International Young Soloist Competition with fellow Out of Time Barbershop Quartet members Devin Canavally, Christian Gomez and Bobby Frazier.
The VSA International Young Soloist Competition is part of the Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Competition winners each receive a $2,000 award and participate in rehearsals and roundtable discussions with music professionals on May 28 and 29, prior to their performance.
Burke, who has visual impairments, has performed with his quartet at college functions, Caffe Lena, the Glen Sanders Mansion, Camphill Ghent, on WGY radio and at churches and retirement centers. During summer 2017, Burke performed as an ensemble member in “Porgy & Bess” at Glimmerglass Opera Festival in Cooperstown.
Burke is also a member of SCCC’s Totally Pitchin’ A Cappella Club and the School of Music’s Select Chorus. He will continue his college education this fall at SUNY Oneonta.