John Burdett ’01, EdD, had a transformational experience as a student at Azusa Pacific University. He has since dedicated himself to helping his students grow into strong leaders through music. He is an associate professor, director of the Music Education program, program director of the Master of Music degree, and conductor of the APU Wind Ensemble.
After graduating with his Bachelor's degree in Music Education, Burdett taught music in the Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) for seven years before completing his MM degree in Instrumental Conducting at California State University, Los Angeles, which created opportunities for adjunct teaching at a number of colleges and schools as well as founding the Southern California Philharmonic. These experiences and a distinct desire to teach at the college level led him to the Doctor of Music Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After teaching at Cal Poly Pomona and Mt. San Antonio College, he won the position of Director of Instrumental Studies at APU in 2013.
Burdett’s desire to join the APU faculty was due in part to the opportunity to teach in a graduate program where he could integrate his faith into conducting and music education. “Music is the best place for character to form,” he said. “To become an expert in music, you have to challenge yourself, and that brings about refinement of goals, desires, and skills.” Burdett believes that as students push themselves to master their craft, God is glorified in the process.
As a conductor, Burdett aims to develop his students into leaders.
Burdett believes leadership is a Christian concept, so faith integration through character building is at the root of his conducting and teaching.
Another aspect of his job is bridging music education with entities outside of APU. Burdett guest conducts at the invitation of music education associations like the Music Association of California Community Colleges and Stanislaus County Music Educators Association. He is particularly passionate about bringing high school and middle school students to campus to sit next to APU student musicians in rehearsals so they can really ‘feel’ the excellence. “Many of the students we work with are students of our alumni, so it’s exciting to bring them back home to APU,” he said.
In addition to his work at APU, Burdett also participates in worship by leading the choir and orchestra at his home church, Purpose Church in Pomona. “It’s a great outlet because I can involve current students and alumni to use their gifts there and connect with that congregation of believers,” he said. “My day to day work at APU has me engaged primarily with college aged students, but I know that God has me at my church because of the beautiful diversity of backgrounds, ages and stages. Those connections and relationships are what God wants for his churches, and I love that what unifies our congregation is worshipping God together despite those differences.”
Burdett is also a part of the Faith Integration Fellows on campus. The group’s goal is to support faculty in their efforts to authentically and rigorously integrate faith at all levels of teaching. Burdett works closely with faculty from APU’s University Libraries and the School of the Arts to talk about their individual passions and how faith can be applied to their curriculums.
While Burdett’s time as an undergraduate student at APU 25 years ago was transformational, he is getting to experience that transformation once again through his son, a philosophy and honors humanities double major. “When I reflect on the incredible experience my son is having in the honors and philosophy programs where he is absolutely flourishing, I am overwhelmed with gratitude,” he said. “Although I am not personally involved in these departments, the professors who are inspiring and nurturing his growth energize my own reflection and inspire me to continually improve my own teaching.”