Scholarship & Activism
Influential teacher
Ronnie has served at The Pennsylvania State University and The University of the Arts. He is now a Professor at CUNY Brooklyn College and taught at SUNY Old Westbury College.
Ronnie leads one of the most dynamic programs of music history and culture, and as well as teaching, he is performing some of the most interesting and cutting-edge music that exists throughout the world. He has been a mentor and adviser to numerous diverse groups of students from Penn State University and SUNY Old Westbury.
social justice leader
Founding board member of Men of Valor 501(c)(3) in St. Louis, working to help men of color reintegrate successfully as fathers and into productive community building work. Currently, Ronnie Burrage is CEO of the World Rhythm Academy and RoBurrage Productions. Also a current board member of, Amboy Street Community Garden, working in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.



As an artist and educator, I have a history of creating work all around the world by procuring and sustaining relationships with international artists, scholars, music festivals, universities and music venues. I have also gathered sponsorship from numerous sources to create successful band tours, music recordings, concerts, literary symposiums, multi-cultural and diversity events.
As a professional musician and composer, I have used my skills in songwriting and event production to attract diverse audiences. Both my wife and I have been awarded grants from Penn State, as well as national and international companies, firms, institutions, and entities, to produce multicultural music and arts events and to conduct international research. The grants associated with Penn State include the Alfred P. Sloan Graduate Fellowship, Africana Research Center grants, major funding from the University Park Allocation Center, the Institute for the Arts & Humanities, the Smeal Business Center, and the Office of Educational Equity.
Since networking is key to success in this industry, we spend a great deal of time pounding the pavement, meeting with private and public businesses, individuals, and organizations regularly. Furthermore, we believe that our society is better together; therefore, we strongly believe in cultivating authentic partnerships. This collaborative spirit helps us forge long-lasting relationships with like-minded individuals and organizations in an attempt to make the world a better place for all.