 Burnett's study of the Schillinger System of Musical Composition under O'tress L. Tandy from 1983–1985, has proven to be a cornerstone of his original artistic and compositional concepts.He is the 1995 "5-Star Award of Merit winner" of the National Federation of Music Clubs for his original composition and arrangement for big band titled, ""Daedalus"".Burnett has also stated that his main concern as a performer, who is also a legitimate composer, is to present his own original music parallel to the traditions of the generations before him.