Meet Dan and Venita Burch

Dan and Venita Burch are both native to our western states. While Dan grew up in Colorado, Venita enjoyed her childhood in Oregon, where she began taking on piano students at a young age, now having taught private students for over 50 years! They met at college in California. Dan completed his Bachelor of Arts in music and then finished his Masters of Music at Azusa Pacific University. Venita completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Dan and Venita share three sons, three daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. They enjoy traveling with their fur-baby, Max, to see their children and grandchildren in California and Arizona.

Dan and Venita began their professional music careers in Southern California and enjoyed 29 years there, raising their three boys. Dan worked in Huntington Beach as a school music director and as a church music minister for 26 years before relocating to Pagosa Springs in 2006 to enjoy an additional 16 years as the Pagosa Springs High School Music Director before his retirement in 2023. Dan and his wife, Venita, moved to Pagosa Springs in 2006. Dan has worked tirelessly with students in both instrumental and vocal areas his entire career. Dan is currently volunteering as the Pagosa Springs Choral Society director and is the Music Director at Pagosa Bible Church.

In addition to accompanying choral and instrumental groups all of her adult life, Venita has directed children’s musicals and vocal groups. She was the first choral director for Pagosa Family School and spent three years creating a successful program that is still in place today. Venita also worked as the Pagosa Springs High School accompanist for several years, teaming up with Dan for a smooth and successful teaching team. She currently volunteers as the accompanist for the Pagosa Springs Choral Society and Pagosa Bible Church, giving of her time, along with Dan, for the betterment and enjoyment of our community. Venita has also enjoyed her time as accompanist and music director for some of our local professional and amateur theater companies. She has also taken on occasional coaching for public-speaking.

Dan and Venita have both seen much success in preparing many students for solo vocal and instrumental festivals and All-State auditions. Dan and Venita currently operate their home private studio, where their students of all ages enjoy lessons in voice, piano, drums, guitar, and a myriad of band instruments.