Violinist, Conductor, Teacher
Biography
Image: Joey Wharton Photography
Naima Burrs, D.M.A, a violinist and conductor from Richmond, VA, has performed as a section violinist with many ensembles including the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra as well as serving as principal second violin with Opera on the James and as concertmaster of Summer Garden Opera. Burrs was selected as a participant in the Conducting Academy of the Domaine Forget International Music Festival (Québec, Canada), where she studied with Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, music director of the Metropolitan Opera House and Philadelphia Orchestra. In January of 2022, Burrs was appointed Music Director of the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra and concluded her tenure after two exciting seasons, in 2024.
Burrs has collaborated with prominent solo artists both locally and internationally, including pianist Joanne Kong, clarinetist LeTriel White, violinist Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, and cellist Christoph Wagner. In August 2022, she became a member of the University of Richmond's faculty, where she also currently leads the University of Richmond Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Burrs made her guest conducting debut with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and in the same year, was appointed as the Youth Concert conductor with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, leading eight performances for their educational series at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. Most recently, Burrs made her conducting debut with the Richmond Ballet, leading the Richmond Symphony in 6 performances for the annual presentation of The Nutcracker. During the 2024-2025 season, Naima will lead the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic in mainstage performances.
Naima Burrs serves as the Director of Orchestral Activities at Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA) and has previously contributed to the faculties of Longwood University (Farmville, VA) and Hampden-Sydney College (Hampden Sydney, VA). Burrs holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University (B.A. in music), the University of Northern Iowa (M.M. in violin performance), and the Catholic University of America (D.M.A. in instrumental conducting).