Richard Burrows became heavily involved
in drumming around the age of 11 with the Lamplighters Drum and Bugle
Corps. This early career in percussion
took him on tours throughout North America and into Europe. His final seasons of drum corps landed him as
a section leader with the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon "aging-out", Richard went on
to teach and become the caption head for Kiwanis Kavaliers. During his tenure on staff, Richard
completed a Master's of Music in Performance Percussion from the University of
Toronto and his Honours BMus degree in Performance Percussion with a minor in
Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Richard has studied and performed with NEXUS, Nebosja Jovan
Zivkovic, and Michael Burritt. He has
collaborated internationally with artists like Evelyn Glennie and Synergy from
Australia. In addition to performing,
Richard is a passionate educator in the Toronto area. He has worked very closely with Markham District High School and
De La Salle Collegiate. He is also a
very active clinician with Ontario music camps. His profession has taken him all over the world, giving
masterclasses and performances throughout North America, Europe, Mexico, Asia
and Australia.
He plays regularly with the Kitchener/Waterloo Symphony
Orchestra, Orchestra London and in a duet series through the Toronto Symphony
Orchestra. Richard has also worked in
opera and musicals performing such classics as West Side Story. He is an avid chamber musician and is a
founding member of the Toronto based percussion quartet, TorQ. TorQ competed in the International
Percussion Ensemble Competition in Luxembourg City. Richard also tours as a principle cast member with Scrap Arts
Music, a high-energy percussion theater sensation.
Richard is proud to endorse Yamaha Canada Music, Innovative
Percussion and Mountain Rythym.
Richard uses the YV3710M and various other Yamaha Percussion
Instruments for his performances.