What a wonderful gift to glorify God through music! Music helps inspire faith, and helps us to prepare for prayer, to celebrate, to commemorate, to spread the Good News. Burke United Methodist Church enjoys a rich and varied music ministry with so many opportunities, there is literally something for everyone! Choral and handbell groups for every age, an outstandingly talented staff, and wonderful volunteers make Burke UMC's music ministry truly something special. Please use the right sidebar links to explore everything Burke UMC has to offer. You can also download the latest schedules for our many choirs and music groups.

Meet the Music Ministry Staff

Director of Music Ministries

Angela Burns, originally from Wilmington, NC earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy with a minor in piano from East Carolina University.  She has performed as a professional soloist, chorister and conductor both regionally and nationally.  Angela has studied and performed with such well-known conductors as Robert Shaw, Dale Warland, Craig Jessop, Rene Clausen and Moses Hogan.  She currently holds the position of Assistant Conductor and Assistant Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Official Chorus of the Air Force, the Singing Sergeants. Before coming to serve at Burke UMC in 2007, Angela served as chorister and rehearsal assistant/ accompanist and mezzo soprano soloist at Christ Church Episcopal in Georgetown.  

Ingrid Bowers, Director of Handbell Choirs

Ingrid Bowers has been ringing with and directing handbell choirs since 1989. She resurrected the handbell program at Mark Twain Chapel in Heidelberg, Germany, and since moving to Virginia in 1992, has worked with handbell choirs from senior citizen groups to children's choirs. Ingrid is on the board of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (Area III), served as the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Chair from 2001-2005, and is currently the managing editor of the AGEHR Area III newsletter. She enjoys all types of handbell ringing, including ensemble and solo ringing. Ingrid has participated in festivals and ringing seminars throughout the United States.

Tammy Zerbo, "In His Name" Youth Choir Director, Good News Players Director (1st - 3rd grades), and Cherub Choir Director (ages 4-Kindergarten)

Tammy Zerbo received a Bachelor of Music with concentrations in vocal and choral performance and Master of Music Education. She has taught high school and middle school chorus, music theater, voice, and piano. Throughout her family's many military moves, she has worked for several churches as director of youth choir, assistant chancel choir director, featured soloist, and Vacation Bible School music director. Tammy became the full time Cherub Choir Director in 2005 and began directing the In His Name Youth Choir in 2006. In the summer of 2007 she completed a study of Orff Music and began directing the Good News Players.