In 2019, the Phoenix music community lost one of its most cherished leaders and dear friends to ovarian cancer, Erin Burley. Erin was a passionate violinist and educator, serving students through music in Arizona. She was the founding second violinist of the Burn City String Quartet and taught students violin at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Rosie’s House A Music Academy for Children, and was a guest teaching artist at the Tetra Chamber Music Institute. From classical to contemporary to folk, she could play any style. Her proficiency provided her many opportunities to play at a variety of venues ranging from stints with Michael Bublé and Mannheim Steamroller, broadway shows at Phoenix Theater, to a local bluegrass band, The Sonoran Dogs.

She was passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians and gave her heart and soul to her students, loving them as if they were her own children. Her students adored her and brought her endless joy. To honor Erin’s memory, TCMI is excited to announce that a Memorial Fund fund has been established in her name. This fund will serve to continue Erin’s legacy while reflecting her love for inspiring and mentoring youth.

The Erin Burley Memorial Fund will exclusively be used to give financial aid to students of the Tetra Chamber Music Institute. This fund was established to reflect TCMI’s belief that economic circumstances should not keep students from participating in our program. The Erin Burley Memorial Fund is co-created with Erin’s mother, Mrs. Barbara Burley.

Donors may make a tax-deductible gift to the Erin Burley Memorial Fund by clicking below or mailing a check to the Tetra String Quartet with “Erin Burley Memorial Fund” in the memo line.

"This memorial fund is close to my heart because Erin was one of my best friends. I was always so inspired by her ability to build community through joy, creativity, and friendship. Her legacy lives on in the lives she changed through music and it is an honor to build this fund in her name."-Jenna Dalbey, Cellist and Executive Director.