2008 - present
I’ve been self-employed for about 10 years now with some full-time and part-time work for employers interspersed. I've fulfilled my original ambitions and more! I am now looking to serve with an organization in one of the following fields: training, service/support, sales, software development, or possibly a new area that would best use my skill sets. I've found that by working effectively together with others you can achieve far more than you can alone. Nevertheless, making music, providing music education, and motivating others toward excellence will always find a place in my life. My music products on www.AzKrakatoa.com will still be selling and I hope to ultimately publish my 4-volume "CoreBeat System for Mastering Technique and Rhythm - Principles, Methods, and Exercises" as well as my "Manifesting your Diamonds" workshop materials and daily, weekly, and life planners.

1996-2008 – Transition to Full-time Drumming & Teaching
During the last 2 years at Sunquest before resigning in 6/98, I restarted my formal music studies through Todd Hammes, Fred Hayes, and my mentor Brian Harris, doing a lot of independent “wood-shedding” from books, videos, and CDs.  I also started playing with other musicians again and am currently managing a band that is putting its song list together for playing out.  I had started Core Beat part-time in 9/97 with 15-20 students/week, but took that to 50+ students shortly after going full-time.  I’ve taught through organizations, school systems, 2 music stores, a school of fine arts, many homes, and my home studio.  I have several volumes written of “The CoreBeat System for Mastering Techinique & Rhythm - Principles, Methods, and Exercises” that will ultimately be published. I have 2 websites dealing with music: www.CoreBeat.com and www.AzKrakatoa.com, the latter with 126 online lessons & 9 DVDs.  I also periodically conduct drum clinics, and am available to perform for weddings, parties, and other events.  This period has marked the most personal growth for me in determining who I uniquely am, what I am most passionate about, and how to overcome the obstacles and fears necessary to realize my dreams.  My deepest desire is to create an opportunity through drumming and teaching for others to be inspired and educated to follow their own passionate dreams. In fact, since 2007 I created www.UmakeITso.com and have been working on my own set of daily, weekly, and lifetime planning tools to help others manifest their dreams.

1989-1996 - Investing, Computer Programming, Managerial Studies
After finding my computer & people skills to be marketable, I started at Sunquest, a clinical information company, where I had several roles over 9 years: Laboratory Client Support Specialist, Applications/Interfacing Programmer-Analyst, Software Quality Assurance Reviewer, Department/Client Trainer, Software Distribution Specialist, Utility/Process Engineer - within 3 departments:  Client Services, Engineering Services, and Application Interfacing.  I even gave Stephen Covey “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” seminars through Corporate Education! During this time, I took classes in personal investing through Pima Community College & The Conservative Investor, in programming, operating systems & interfacing through Sunquest, and in Organizational Management through the University of Phoenix taking 18 units toward a M. A. with a 3.86 GPA, in Time Management through Fred Pryor Seminars, and in creating a personal mission statement through Landmark Education.  My drumming was for personal escape & pleasure, while I focused on developing a broader skill base and exploring a deeper sense of calling or mission.

1987-1989 - Spiritual Journey and Retail Sales/Management
After being a consultant at the mercy of a fluctuating building industry, I decided to apply my computer & organizational skills in the retail sales/management field.  Working 2 years at Gospel Supplies as Department/Systems Manager, I researched, purchased, installed, programmed, staff-trained, and managed a point-of-sale/inventory/accounting computer system along with book buying, inventory, sales, and management.  Profoundly influenced by this and spiritual experiences during college, I then explored studies through: Calvary Chapel Bible School in California - 18 units with a 4.0 GPA, Southwest Bible College in Tucson - 6 units with a 4.0 GPA, Moody Bible Institute - 4 units correspondence with a 4.0 GPA, Fuller Theological Seminary in Phoenix - 16 units with a 3.8 GPA, and Arizona Christian University in Tucson - 3 units with a 4.0 GPA.  I started playing drums again in various church & community orchestras and bands - marking a renaissance for my drumming and the beginnings of a sense of mission & service.

1983-1987 - Chemical/Metallurgical  research and Hydrology professions
Just out of college, I worked during the summer for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as a Hydrology Technician for locating, analysis, equipment/technique design, and reporting of water resources on BLM land.  The next year I worked for Arco Metals as a Chemical/Metallurgical Laboratory Technician to purchase, design, operate, and maintain research equipment used to manufacture high-purity aluminum and was also responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting the test data.  After they closed, I worked for 2+ years as a Hydrologist/Civil Engineering Consultant for DMJM/VEA, Greiner Engineering, and APW Engineering for Floodplain hydrologic/hydraulic/civil engineering research, surveying, design, programming, contracts, training, and agency reporting.  Unfortunately, these were my musically dry years as I drove myself even harder to be successful in my career - operating even more out of my left brain than what my heart was telling me.

1971-1983 - my school years
My love for rhythm began when I was 10 years old - my 5-year-old students are lucky!  I joined 7th grade band when my schoolteacher insisted I take my drumming on the classroom desk elsewhere.  By 8th grade I was the top drummer, and our band actually cut it’s own 45-rpm record  - what an experience being in a studio at that age.  I went onto being the second freshmen allowed in the Moon Valley High School Advanced Concert Band.  By my junior year I was section leader and our band was chosen to represent Arizona in the 76’ Bicentennial Parade in Philadelphia - it was a thrilling time.  However, listening more to the voices of my teachers, parents, and peers than to my heart, I shifted much of my attention towards Advanced Placement coursework, graduating in the top 9% out of 381 students as a National Honor Society Key Club member.  Consequently, I was able to get both music and scholastic awards for Glendale Community College, where I took music classes toward a minor, studio-recorded with the Doug Kahl jazz quartet, and took classes toward a science major to graduate with an Associate of Arts degree.  Having a 3.69 GPA and being on the Dean’s Honor List every semester, my head was still telling me to become successful in something other than music.  So I set out with 6 scholarships to the University of Arizona to get a Bachelor of Science degree in Renewable Natural Resources - Watershed Management Hydrology, graduating with a 3.49 GPA and on 5 Dean's Honor Lists.  I laugh now at my reasons for choosing this program: that I liked fishing & camping in the woods and was good at math & science.  I also worked as a research assistant for the Watershed Hydrology Department in equipment design and grading statistics, and for Eagles West in Texas with $11,000 in door-to-door “cold-call” sales of educational materials, having ranked #10 in the company.  I also got involved in the martial arts being 1 yr. from a Black Belt, and also a local church campus outreach, where through friends I found an outlet for my drumming – still closest to my heart.

7/4/09 - What a privelage and blessing it was to play drumset with Robert Encila & Company from Studio Connections pool side for Canyon Ranch's 4th of July luncheon!

5/11-5/27/09 - drove 1600 miles to Spokane, Washington to help a friend move, then borrowed her car to explore Washington and Oregon for another 1600 miles. Fell in love with Grants Pass, Oregon. Got 8 major revelations from the trip that will alter the course of my life, I'm sure. One big result was the development of www.JesusMakesItSo.com - a resource for others to contribute to, to help others live the victorious Christian life.

5/1/09 - Asked to play drum set for a special Praise and Worship service for CrossRoads Church in Tucson, Arizona.

3/16-4/3/09 - Played drum set for 10 shows with the DiVinci Players at Studio Connections for the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" by Howard Ashman.

11/24/2008 - 3/31/2009 Worked with Mic Williams (a great guy!) and his staff at Micro Import Service, helping out with parts ordering and check-in, computer and stock room inventory control, scheduling, and customer service. It was a challenging experience with a group of people very much outside my normal clientele base. The economy turned against them and I was downsized.

4/2009 One of my students, Donna Breckenridge, took my advise and joined a band as a keyboardist and singer. I'm so proud of her!

2/2009 - Watched one of my students, Breeze Cudzillo, take a big step - played drumset in a band at the opening of the Harvest Market. I felt so proud of her!

1/1/2009 - 6/2009 played drum set with Deacon Blade - an Elvis Presley impersonator for a New Year's party and several gigs until he left for Hawaii. These guys were just great to work with. So much good, clean fun!

11/10/2008 www.JesusMakesItSo.com domain purchased. This ultimately replaced www.UmakeItSo.com as I have seen that self-actualization is not the peak of human experience, contrary to Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, but self-transcendence is. I still believe that the "Manifesting Your Diamonds" tools of www.UmakeItSo.com are helpful ways of exploring your passion by asking the BIG questions, but that our passion is not an end in itself.

10/15-10/30/08 Helped extensively with others in the landscaping of the new Living Hope Family Church - a ton of work but with beautiful results.

9/13/08 - Played drums and percussion with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra - 4 rehearsals and 1 performance. Magnificant music!

8/08 - This will be my 10 year anniversary of CoreBeat!  Development, marketing, advertisement, contracts, scheduling, and distribution of 1000s of private & group music lessons, programs, clinics, and workshops through: 3 music stores, 1 music school, 2 expositions, 3 festivals, 9 drum circles, 100s of homes, 6 private/charter/public Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, 4 summer camps, 11 community organizations, and my own Home Recording Drum Studio.

7/22-11/18/08 - gave 17 drum/percussion/communications-facilitation classes with Ventena High School emotionally disturbed kids at my home studio. Also gave 14 classes to Vail Middle School.

7/08 - Reike 1 Practitioner Certification. It was interesting but I never really did anything with it. I personally enjoy a good message and/or chiropractic adjustment, though some have find "energy" or "spiritual healing" work more effective.

5/08 - I programmed www.AzKrakatoa.com for Online PayPal Shopping Cart and optional methods of buying the numerous products now available. I also taught a couple of classes for Marshall Elementary School - they even gave me a special gift. Very kind!

4/08 - Drummed for Euphrates Music Inc. to debut their song-writing at Vaudville Cabaret: www.myspace.com/4brosandeu.

4/08 - Drummed in 18 shows at Studio Connections in the musical "Tick Tick Boom" by Jonathan Larson, which got a good reviews. Robert Encila, director of Studio Connections says of my performance: "You've really exceeded expectations, not just through your playing, but through commitment and your sense of integrity and support . . . so I speak for everyone when I say THANK YOU for helping us out. You DA MAN!" That was very cool of him to say.

3/08 - www.AzKrakatoa.com 8 DVD Packages and 119 Online Videos being sold - encapsulating my system of teaching rhythm & music so that anyone can have a blast following the simple guidelines.

2/08 - this website (www.MikeBurris.org) was completed, a thorough representation of who I am, fully linked in all directions to all my websites, so I only have to update 1 website now.

2/08 - www.AzKrakatoa.com Online Videos & DVD are completed - my “CoreBeat System” has been fully fleshed out for any ensemble.  Booklets & Paypal system will be done soon.  The www.CoreBeat.com is now an advertising page that takes you to the “CoreBeat” menu tab of www.AzKrakatoa.com.  More web exposure and cross-linking!

1/08 - I had to further revise the format of the “CoreBeat System” book into 1 subject per volume (Vol. 1: Notes, Vol. 2: Strokes, Vol. 3: Motions, etc.).  This will take awhile, so I need to focus on other things more pressing and come back to this later. Who knows when I'll have the time, money, or energy to finally complete this magnum opus!

11/07 - Decided to get back into the “work world” doing some form of training, preferably something that’s inspirational and motivating that will help foster my www.UmakeITso.com dreams.  I’ve met some wonderful people in the process of job-hunting and received lots of good references and feedback.  The future is bright!

8/07 - Starting to hand out my "Motivational Sayings" to students, friends, and anybody I meet - it’s part of my mission to pass on my life-transforming thoughts.

7/07 - Had to revise the format of the “CoreBeat System” book into 3 subjects per volume (Vol. 1: Notes, Strokes, Motions).  It was discouraging to have to create a new outline, but no amount of editing can chisel 1 book down into a profitable format. I’ve researched 200+ books, videos, and DVDs into writing this.  It’s been like getting a PhD - 1000s of hours trying to make other people’s systems for teaching work, but I’ve had to create a system outside their “box,” still bringing in some key ideas & terms from others that are better thought out, but nevertheless having to invent almost everything else.  The result is a system that is more internally consistent, intuitive, universally applicable, which I’ve already helped 1000s of drum & percussion students with in more creatively, musically, and systematically explore their craft.

6/07 - Playing with Mercury Transit band - pretty good bar rock and also got some recordings up onto their Myspace!

3/07 - Music & Arts Center closed, so I absorbed those students to my Home Studio.

1/07 - www.UmakeITso.com created using IWeb (with the help of my friend Lloydie).  Finishing the development of a workbook, workshop, and DVD for Manifesting Your Diamonds - M.Y.D. Life and Weekly Planners:  a self-dialectic M.U.S.E. methodology for discovering, prioritizing, and balancing each Life Category’s V.A.L.U.E.S., creating an overall anchoring & guiding M.A.X.I.M., working backwards from your own E.U.L.O.G.Y., making M.A.P.S. to locate & T.E.A.R. Your Diamonds out of the dirt & debris that has covered & hidden them, remaining A.V.I.D. until you succeed, learning from Your Life Lessons, and celebrating Your Life Successes.

8/17/06-5/17/07 - gave 20 drum/percussion/communications-facilitation classes with Ventena High School emotionally disturbed kids at my home studio.

12/06 - www.AzKrakatoa.com created using Dreamweaver (with the help of my friend Lloydie) to help grow Krakatoa.  Starting to load online videos (using IMovie and Flash 8) for my students & the community.

4/06 - Getting involved politically, helping to make a difference.  Helped get prop 201 “no-smoking in public” law voted in.

2/06 - “Krakatoa” started for the drum community and to “flesh” out my ideas from “The CoreBeat System for Mastering Technique & Rhythm - Principles, Methods, and Exercises” for any skill level and any style of music in any ensemble using a basic foundational skill set and 6 Instrument-Role Guidelines that can be applied to any rhythmic instrument.

1/06 - Judged drum solo competitions at Guitar Center.

12/05 - Added teaching at Music & Arts Center to pick up some extra students and get discounts on items I can resell for a bit of profit.

10/05 - Starting to use advertising (Bear Essentials, Tucson Weekly, etc.) to further the business.

7/05 - New CoreBeat business cards now how “Training for a Passionate, Purpose-Filled Life” on the bottom of them.  This is my 1st seed for a future business in Life/Success Coaching.

1/05 - Judged drum solo competitions at Guitar Center.

1/04 - Judged drum solo competitions at Guitar Center.

3/03 - Starting to sub-contract for various schools & districts to further www.CoreBeat.com.

4/02 - Started drum & percussion workshops, clinics, drum circles around town to grow www.CoreBeat.com.

2/02 - Started teaching again at Mountain Music store - they want me back big time!

1/02 - Started teaching of my “The CoreBeat System for Mastering Technique & Rhythm - Principles, Methods, and Exercises” and formally editing this down in to sellable volumes.

12/1 - Created “Sieze-the-Day”, “Sieze-the-Week”, “Sieze-the-Month”, and “Sieze-Your-Life” planners.

8/01 - CoreBeat Newsletter started to help the entire drumming community “get the word out” and bring in more students myself.

5/01 - Left Sticks & Strings & Mountain Music and all northwest home students, so I’ve completely consolidated to my Home Studio.  Playing regularly with Black Leather Zydeco band.  Created more Drum Exercise Booklets on various topics for sale to my students.

1/01 My Motivational Planners started so I can “flesh them out” personally and build some momentum.

7/00 - Working at Mountain Music store to learn “the trade” and teach 2 days/week, picking up students at their homes after hours.  Added Score Cards to help students see their progress.

6/00 - www.CoreBeat.com being fully marketed.

5/00 - www.CoreBeat.com completed.

2/00 - www.CoreBeat.com started - written with Frontpage (my friend Victor got me started).  Tons of work - lots of content.  My first website!

2/00 Created 60+ My Favorite Exercises Notebooks for my www.CoreBeat.com students to practice with.

1/00 - Finally have my 3 months Emergency Fund.  My 40th birthday bash with lots of friends & family at El Parador was incredible! Took 1 week sabbatical for all-out studying of drums and playing!  I should have taken 1 year off when I quit Sunquest, but I became obsessed in building the business.  It’s dangerous to get on a “parallel path” in your life!

10/99 - Created a Timing Tape and Practice Log for my www.CoreBeat.com students to practice with.

9/99 - Using camcorder taping to analyze my student’s playing.  Encouraging students to create, as I have, a Manifestation Drum Poster collage from drum magazines to build a vision for their drumming.

9/99-2/00: Playing extensively in Jay Carlis & Even Star band - very creative, energizing music.

8/99 - Created my first Meditation & Affirmations tape - using it for myself, but it has given me ideas for future marketing ideas.

7/99 - Started the research for “The CoreBeat System for Mastering Technique & Rhythm - Principles, Methods, and Exercises.”  I thought 1 week would solve the Rudiments of Drumming problems - boy, was I wrong!  CoreBeat Skill Set Path created for my www.CoreBeat.com students.

6/99 - Debt-free once again! (except the house), Feng Shui’d my office, playing with Daniel Sobel and the Vacuum Bags (Tom Galen) band - mellow and poetic music.

3/99 OPL - On-Purpose Living messages sent out to all my students on a regular basis, receiving much appreciation from people.

2/99 - Played a gig at Sahuaro Lake with Jack Crompton & Grant Elam - we sure had them dancing!

1/99 - 1/04:  Stock Day, Swing, and Trend Technical Trader. Development of my own system for technical trading of $1 million per year, even in a very choppy market.

6/27/98 - The day I quit Sunquest, started "CoreBeat" full-time through U of Arizona S.E.E.K. camps and through Casas Adobes Baptist church’s School of Fine Arts.  Bought my 1st drum van!

5/89 – 6/98:  SUNQUEST, INC. Level 3 Senior Programmer Analyst.

• Application Interfacing: specifications (ASTM & HL7 standards, Formatted/Segmented/Custom), protocols (TCP/IP, DECNET, SNA, RS232, FTP, KERMIT), design & development (MUMPS language), installation, testing, upgrades, support, Quality Assurance reviewer, Quality Control distribution, templates, code standards & procedures, mentoring & in-house training, and Client Education.
• General Lab Engineering Services: Laboratory software debugging, process re-engineering, interdepartmental utilities.
• Tier 2 Client Support:  dial-in troubleshooting for the entire clinical-laboratory info system (IBM, DEC, OSF, ALPHA, UNIX platforms).
• Motivational, time & resource management “brown bag” lunch speaker for Corporate Education.

1996-1998:  Preparing for a new Career:
- Mentoring by www.BrianJHarris.com (best drummer in town) and built other new business relationships.
- Expanded & upgraded my drum and computer equipment.
- Got business advise and associated with successful people.
- Worked towards getting debt-free and building an Emergency Fund.
- Part-time drum teaching (up to 10 students per week).
- Redid my Mission Statement, Affirmations, Meditations, 5 & 10-year plans.
- Re-Negotiated by positions & salary at Sunquest into Process Re-engineering and then moved in AI again (under David Miller) as a Programmer Trainer at 32 hours/week!  This is really moving me in the direction of my dreams!
- Leased my 1st convertible (Sebring XJI) - absolutely loved it!

1994-1996 events:
Completely redid my home’s landscaping: waterfall, pond, water garden, stream, hills of flowers, trees, bushes, etc.
Life-transforming Oregon trip in my new 1995 Saturn Sport Coupe.
Steven Covey studies: implementing personally and in Sunquest (email club, lunch speaker, hand-outs, etc.).

11/95: Landmark Education Forum & Advanced Courses - truly life-transforming experiences, planting the seeds for so many of my changes to come.

10/95: Fred Pryor Time-Management Seminars - gave me a vision that I could be doing something like this someday.

11/94-8/95 University of Phoenix: 18 units (6 classes) toward M.A. Organization Management 3.86 GPA.  Had to quit with Sunquest changed their policies on employee reimbursements.

8/92: Arizona Christian University class on Romans.

4/92: 3 “Conservative Investor” classes - got me planning for the future.

3/92: Pima Community College class on No-Load Mutual Fund Investing.

9/90-8/91: Fuller Theological Seminary: 16 units toward M.Div. Exegetical Theology, 3.8 GPA

7/90:  Moody Bible Institute, 4.0 GPA

3/89 - 6/89:  APW ENGINEERING SERVICES. Tucson, Arizona.  Hydrologist III Consultant.

• Larger, more difficult projects than Greiner Engineering.    Training of Level 1 & 2 hydrologists.

1/89-8/89:  Southwest Bible College, 4.0 GPA

12/88 - 3/89, 3/87 - 9/88:  GOSPEL SUPPLIES. Tucson, Arizona.  Department/Systems Manager.

• Acquisition, installation, system management, and training for a point-of-sale/inventory/accounting minicomputer system.
• Reference Book Department purchasing, inventory, sales, and other managerial responsibilities.

9/88-12/88: 18 units from Calvary Chapel Bible School: 4.0 GPA

6/86 - 3/87:  GREINER ENGINEERING SCIENCES. Tucson, Arizona.  Urban Hydrologist II.

• Larger, more difficult projects than DMJM/VEA.  Training of Level 1 hydrologists.

 
4/85 - 6/86:  DMJM/VEA. Tucson, Arizona.  Urban Hydrologist I.

• Hydrologic/hydraulic/civil contract proposals, engineering, surveying, software modeling (BASIC language), government agency reporting & review, for land development & transportation design for floodplain management.

9/83 - 9/84:  ARCO METALS. Tucson, Arizona.  Chemical/Metallurgical Laboratory Technician.

• Purchased, designed, operated, and maintained research equipment used to manufacture high-purity aluminum.
• Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting the test data of the manufactured samples.

5/83 - 8/83:  U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. Phoenix, Arizona.  Hydrology Technician:

• Location, analysis, equipment/technique design, and reporting for BLM water resources inventory.

5/83 - Graduated from the University of Arizona with 89 units, 34 classes, B.S. in Renewable Natural Resources - Watershed Management Hydrology, 3.49 GPA.  I was on the Dean’s list almost every semester and received 1 Winslow Reuben Meyer, 3 General Residency, 2 State Student Incentive scholarships.
 
5/82 - 8/82:  EAGLE WEST, CO.San Antonio, Texas.  Sales Representative.

• Purchase, inventory, and door-to-door "cold-call" sale of $11,000 in educational materials in 3 months.

1/81 - 5/81:  UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, WATERSHED HYDROLOGY DEPT. Tucson, Arizona.  Research Assistant.

• Design & construction research van temperature stabilizers. Database and statistics for class grading.

1/81 - Transferred to the University of Arizona toward a B.S. degree.

1/81 - Graduated from Glendale Community College with 67 units, 28 classes, A.A. degree, 3.6923 GPA.  I was a music minor, mostly in drums & percussion, but had a broad spectrum of science, math, etc. to prepare me for the University.  I had received 2 music scholarships and was on the Dean’s list every semester.

1979 - Have about 1 year left for my black belt in karate.

1978 - Recorded with Doug Kahl Jazz Quartet.

6/77 - Started Glendale Community College toward A.A. degree, under music & scholastic scholarships.

1977 - Graduated from Moon Valley High School in top 9% (33rd of 381 students) and in National Honor Society Key Club Member.

1976 - Was the section leader and our band represented Arizona marching in ‘76 Bicentennial Parade in Philadelphia - a magical experience!

1973 - I (along with Eddie McIntosh) were the 1st freshman allowed into Moon Valley High School Advanced Band.

1971 - By 8th grade I was top drumming in our band, which recorded a 45 rpm record in a music studio.

1970 - Started drum lessons in 7th grade band.