Burke High Graduates Lead Divine Strength Chamber Ensemble

Four musicians from Charleston maintain a 15-year collaboration rooted in their elementary school music education.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in African-American

Burke High Graduates Lead Divine Strength Chamber Ensemble

The Divine Strength Chamber Ensemble features four Burke High School graduates who have performed professionally together for 15 years. The group, whose members are in their 50s, remains a fixture at weddings, festivals, and art exhibits throughout South Carolina and Georgia.

Why it matters

The ensemble highlights the lasting influence of a dedicated elementary school instructor who sought to provide classical music training to students of color on the Charleston peninsula following the death of Martin Luther King Jr.

The quartet, whose members are all in their 50s, has maintained their professional partnership for 15 years. They have showcased their repertoire at the Moja Arts Festival for each of the last two years.

The players

Divine Strength Chamber Ensemble

This musical group consists of four women who are all graduates of Burke High School.

Michele McCutchen

She serves as a member of the ensemble while also working as the safety manager for the Charleston Water System.

Burke High School

This institution serves as the shared alma mater for the members of the ensemble.

Moja Arts Festival

This event celebrates the African-American and African Diaspora arts and has featured the ensemble in recent years.

The details

The musicians attribute their long-term professional stability to the foundational string instrument instruction they received from the same teacher during their elementary school years. This shared educational history remains the backbone of their performances across the region.

15 years ago the Divine Strength Chamber Ensemble formed.
Last two years the ensemble performed at the Moja Arts Festival.

Culture Shift

The ensemble exemplifies the long-term impact of initiatives to expand classical music access for Black youth in Charleston after 1968. Their continued collaboration mirrors broader efforts to preserve cultural education and professional representation for African-American musicians.

Residents can support the ensemble by attending their scheduled performances at regional art exhibits, weddings, and festivals. Engaging with the group offers a direct way to experience the legacy of local music education programs in the Charleston community.

The takeaway

Maintaining a professional musical collaboration for over a decade demonstrates the significant impact of early childhood mentorship. The group's success serves as an example of how foundational community arts education can lead to lifelong professional development.