By Wayne Andrews

Contributor

Ricky Burkhead, a distinguished musician and University of Mississippi professor has been chosen as an Artist in Residence for the Virgin Islands Education Department’s 2025 program.

This initiative, themed “Mentoring Through the Music Arts,” aims to provide music education and mentorship to up to 50 students in the St. Thomas-St. John School district.

Professor, entrepreneur, multifaceted percussionist and composer, Burkhead has been a Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Mississippi for 30 years, where he holds a full professorship since 2018.

He founded the first world music ensemble at the University of Mississippi, the University of Mississippi Steel Orchestra which has performed concerts at Goombay Festivals in Pensacola, Florida, state Bandmasters conferences, and for the Mississippi and Missouri PAS Days of Percussion.

On the Board of Directors of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Burkhead has coordinated scholarship awards for the underserved and serves as an advisor for the national organization, Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists. Selected by the Mississippi Arts Commission to be a Roster Artist for the state of Mississippi, Burkhead is also an active adjudicator in the South-Eastern United States and has the distinction of being a past president of the Mississippi Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, hosting Mississippi state PAS Days of Percussion in his Fastrax Recording Studio in Oxford.

Having Oxford-based artists like Burkhead participate in international programs elevates Mississippi’s profile as a hub for arts and culture. The state’s arts and culture sector is a significant economic driver, representing a $2.3 billion industry that yields 23,117 jobs. Specifically, in Lafayette County, the arts generate $2.7 million in economic activity annually and $6.9 million in related spending, underscoring the arts’ vital role in the local economy.

Burkhead’s residency not only showcases Mississippi’s rich musical heritage but also facilitates cultural exchange. By engaging with students and communities in the Virgin Islands, he will gain new perspectives and insights, enriching his artistry.

Upon returning to Oxford, these experiences can inspire innovative programs and collaborations, fostering a more vibrant local arts scene.

Such exchanges exemplify the symbiotic relationship between local artists and global communities, highlighting the importance of cultural diplomacy in today’s interconnected world.