 Unable to afford college tuition, prior to graduation from high school in May 1974, Burnett auditioned for and was accepted to the music programs of both, the US Air Force and US Army bands.He has ultimately studied with numerous significant teachers and at the Armed Forces School of Music, Webster University, Columbia College (Missouri), Berklee College of Music, and American University.Initially joining the U.S. military bands was intended to provide funding for college using the G.I.