Like many of you, I’ve lived in Camden nearly all my life and I like to find out why people move here. They almost always have the same response … affordable homes. Sarah and David Burk chose Folwell five years ago for that very reason and not unlike the rest of the newcomers I meet, they have come to love Camden for the great neighbors and opportunities for community involvement.
When the music store came around in elementary school to show all the possible instruments to study, Sarah Hohenstein Burk chose the violin to be different from everyone else who went for the saxophone, flute or clarinet. She took up the piano again in junior high and went on to become extremely involved in orchestra, choir, piano competition and jazz band in high school. “When I was in high school, I felt so blessed to know what my interests were. Choosing to major in music and make it a career was ultimately a decision to honor my gifts.” She graduated from Sibley High School in Mendota Heights and went on to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Like most artists, Sarah has a day job but it relates directly to her music; she’s been an instructor at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul for 13 years. She teaches keyboard, theory, ear training and gives private lessons on the keyboard. All the instructors at McNally Smith are active in the music industry and Sarah plays with various groups sometimes four-six nights a week. “It’s pretty rough getting up for a 9 a.m. class the next day but it’s the nature of the school. Everyone does it.” Sarah feels that being an active musician informs her teaching while it supplements her income.
Sarah is currently enrolled as a grad student at the U of M in the Master of Liberal Arts Program and hopes for some new options as she ponders reshaping her future during her summer break. She’s got some underutilized gifts to explore!
Sarah is also a new member of the Northside Arts Collective Board of Directors bringing a voice to performing artists from the Northside. In addition to playing at private events and churches, doing arrangements, transcription and theatre projects, Sarah is a singer and keyboardist in a number of Salsa, jazz, R&B, rock and classical music ensembles. Music is strong for spouse Dave, as well; he’s a guitar and bass instructor at Schmitt Music and specializes in world music as a performer, writer and producer. Both are fortunate to find day jobs that nurture their natural gifts in music!
Sarah’s favorite quote: “If you want to be a musician, don’t do it, because it’s the worst profession in the world. But if you have to be a musician, do it, because it’s the best profession in the world.”
Catch Sarah singing with the band Used Vinyl performing ‘70s and ‘80s hits on Saturday, August 19 at the Times Bar & Café on East Hennepin. Email her at sburk@mcnallysmith.edu for info.