Biography & Career
Originally from San Diego, Mr. Burton is the principal percussionist of the Charlotte Symphony. He has also performed with the San Diego Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, New World Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who he joined on their 2018 tour. Mr. Burton has had the pleasure to perform under renowned conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, John Williams, Christoph von Dohnányi, Essa-pekka Salonen, and Andris Nelsons. He has performed with orchestras in a variety of venues, including Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, David Geffen Hall, the Barbican Center, Philharmonie de Paris, and more.
Mr. Burton has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, National Orchestral Institute, and Round Top Festival Institute. In 2014 he won first place in the Modern Snare Drum Competition. Before joining the Charlotte Symphony, Mr. Burton received both his Master and Bachelor degrees in Percussion Performance at the University of Southern California, where he graduated summa cum laude. At USC, Burton studied with Jim Babor and Joseph Pereira - both members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.. Other notable teachers include Greg Cohen of the San Diego Symphony.