Dr. Adam-Yvette Burdick brings people together through music, inspiring novices and veterans alike to discover their capacity to bring music to life and share it with others. As a conductor and teacher, Yvette is known for challenging singers to perform at their best while learning more about music and building community. She enjoys the breadth of his music leadership responsibilities, from the internationally diverse North Seattle College Choir to the warm community of the 120+voice Skagit Valley Chorale and his close-knit a cappella ensemble in Seattle, the Evergreen Singers. His online “Music in the United States” class at North Seattle College has introduced hundreds of students to the endless tapestry of musical influences woven through our shared musical history. Adam’s private voice lessons at Dusty Strings Music School in Seattle are known for their playful, exploratory tone, and his many years on the faculty at the Midsummer Musical Retreat have been marked by adventurous musical exploration and the warmly supportive and joyful teaching that is such an important part of that music camp’s philosophy. Adam remains an avid student. Whether studying structure and textual meaning in a piece, coordinated, attentive use of one’s body and self, or the mysteries of clear communication and quality teaching, he loves to pass on what he learns.

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Adam's teaching emphasizes study of vocal technique in the context of the whole body and guides self-exploration that helps his students discover what is possible for their voice. Along the way he encourages them to develop expressive musicality through understanding the music and the text, and coaches them to seek intentional connection with other musicians and audience members. He finds particular satisfaction in working with hesitant singers, helping them to sing confidently and well. A long-time student of the Alexander Technique, Adam uses its principles in his singing, conducting, and teaching, and is pursuing certification as an Alexander Technique teacher. He is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound (BA Music, BA English Literature), the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (MM Choral Conducting), and the University of Washington (DMA Choral Conducting).