Meet Emma Burge

We recently connected with Emma Burge and have shared our conversation below.

Emma, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding one’s purpose is an ever evolving journey, balancing being present and fulfilled in the moment, while also dreaming big and knowing we are limitless beings. My path has shifted and developed in ways I never could have imagined. The biggest key to finding purpose, I believe, is trusting our own inner voice. In our everyday lives, purpose can be imposed upon us as the goals of our family, peers, colleagues, etc. in a million different ways and at a million different instances. It takes a lot of strength to step away from the constant influx of expectations and judgements from our world, and find stillness to listen to ourselves.
On my journey, there have been many moments where I have felt lost and unsure of what to do and where I am headed, and I’m sure there will be many more. Humans crave predictability and familiarity, so it feels very uncomfortable to sit in a space of the unknown. This is why we sometimes end up doing things we don’t want to- to fill the void of that space. I have found that sitting in that uncomfortable space, and being patient to wait for what you truly believe in, yields the most harmony between our inner being and our outer expression in the world. The unknown can be scary, but it is also full of every possibility we can imagine!
I often ask people, what is your biggest dream? Forget about money, time, responsibilities…what do you want most out of this life? A lot of people haven’t let themselves dream in a long time, or ever. We are all trapped in the practicality of everyday life. The first step is to let yourself dream. If we can imagine it, it is possible, and we need to create that vision in our heads. When we are aware of this vision, it is much easier to see what steps we can take to get there. I have been hugely surprised at the synchronistic events that have conspired in my life after really listening to this inner voice of mine. I believe that the universe wants to help us succeed…we just need to listen.
To listen: find a quiet space, and if you can, out in nature where you are alone. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Close your eyes, listen to the sound of the wind or the grass rustling. Sit on the ground, and feel the Earth. Let your mind wander and then eventually clear. Stay in this space and see what comes to the surface of your thoughts.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I grew up in a family of all musicians, so it was natural that I learned to play the violin at a young age. What I didn’t realize as a child is just how special my musical family was. My grandparents were some of the pioneers of bringing the Suzuki Method to the United States. In short, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki created and lived a philosophy that taught young kids (age 3-4) to play the violin, which hadn’t previously been common at all in the United States. He did this through teaching music like a language, an immersive experience where there was constant listening, exposure, and participation in lessons and group classes by both parent and child. It was a revolutionary philosophy that completely changed classical music, and music in general.
Dr. Suzuki’s method is more than just that though, he truly believed in every single child, regardless of natural talent or ability. With the right environment, anyone can thrive. He introduced values of respect, as he taught teachers and students to bow at the start and end of each lesson, and to create them as equal partners in learning. He mediated on tone, and developed exercises that challenge students to develop focus and presence, listening deeply to the sound of the instrument. One of his most famous quotes is, “Beautiful tone, beautiful heart,” emphasizing the connection between the expressiveness of the musician and their character and heart.
I have always been surrounded by people that believed in these ideals, and as I get older, I realize how much this shaped me as a person. Both of my parents are also amazing professional musicians who inspire me with their hard work and love for music. I attended the New England Conservatory with dreams of becoming the best musician and violinist I could be, and am still a very active performer in Boston and Seattle. I play in many different groups and many different settings, from quartets to orchestras to recording with bands. Communicating through music as a universal language can help heal people, can inspire them, and can tell a beautiful story. As a performer, I am constantly striving to not just play music, but connect with people at a very deep level. My strength is my care to communicate through the music with my heart.
I now also find myself in a teacher role, teaching Suzuki violin at NEC. It really feels like a full circle moment for me – it wasn’t necessarily in my plan (if you had asked me five years ago…) but it is exactly where I need to be. I am guiding kids to become beautiful people, through music. That is the beauty of Dr. Suzuki’s method, and what I didn’t realize until later. It isn’t about the music. The music is beautiful, but it is about how it shapes us to be better people out in the world. Being a teacher is one of the most important things I can imagine doing in this world, to grow the hearts of our future generations. I am truly honored to have this position in my life, and to be a part of so many kids’ and families’ lives as we learn from each other.
Creatively, I love to do many, many other things, as I think they are all connected, from cooking to sewing to painting, to singing, etc. Currently, I am exploring making my own paint pigments from things I find in nature like charcoal, different colored dirt and sands, and grinding stones. I love to paint, because it is so different from music, and forces me to let go of any expectations I have about what art is and what it is supposed to look like. I also love to create funny characters, which brings me joy and makes me feel like a little kid. Letting go in any aspect of creativity, and believing in yourself, is just like finding your purpose. The more things you can do in life with a meditative and trusting support toward the inner voice…the more you will get out of this life.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities most impactful on my journey are as follows: being present, dreaming big, and following your heart. I believe we all know how to be good people in our hearts. Making the right choice isn’t always the easiest one, but the only way to progress humanity toward happiness and love is to make those decisions ourselves, every single day. When we are all aligned in acting from our hearts, the possibilities for our Earth are endless.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. When reading it, I felt like it was familiar, and that my heart knew the story already. I have reread it many times and probably purchased over 50 copies to give out to friends and family. I still always buy it when I see it. It is a book that anyone can read, regardless of where they are on their journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emmaburge.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaburge_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emmaburge4646

Image Credits

Jake Anderson Photography (main headshot)