Sharon Burch facts for kids

Sharon Burch is a talented artist with a special connection to her heritage. She is part Navajo and part German. Sharon helps lead the First Nations Composer Initiative, which supports Native American musicians. She is a composer, teacher, and author. Sharon also sings in both English and the Navajo language. She is a well-known recording artist.

Sharon Burch's Life Story

Sharon grew up in New Mexico. Her mother was Navajo, and her father was German. She learned about traditional Navajo culture from a young age. Sharon spoke only the Navajo language until she started school.

After high school in California, she went to Navajo Community College in Tsaile, Arizona. Later, she studied at the University of New Mexico.

Her Music and Heritage

Sharon Burch's music shares modern ideas about traditional Navajo ways of life. Many of her songs are in the Navajo language. They talk about how special Mother Earth and Father Sun are. Her music also highlights the importance of family and home to the Diné people.

Awards and Performances

Sharon's third album, Touch the Sweet Earth, won an INDIE Award in 1995. This award was for the "North American Native Music" category. Sharon often performs at folk festivals, fairs, schools, and universities. She has played concerts at famous places like the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.. She has also performed at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Sharon has even performed in Japan.

In 1998, Sharon performed at the 32nd Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This event took place at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

Sharon Burch's Music and Books

Albums She Has Released

• The Blessing Ways (1984) (with A. Paul Ortega)
• Yazzie girl (1989)
• Touch The Sweet Earth (1995)
• Colors of My Heart (1999)

As a Contributing Artist

Sharon also contributed to the album The Rough Guide to Native American Music (1999). This means she helped create some of the music on that album.

Books She Has Written

Sharon is also an author. She wrote a book called Beyond the Books (2011).