Allen Burke is bringing years of study, exposure, and experience to each rehearsal and service at Speedway United Methodist Church. After starting to play piano by ear at the age of five, Allen began formal music studies, at age seven, on piano and trumpet at the Jordan College of Music, and studied at Butler University and Indiana Central College. He is a multi-talented musician whose God-given unique playing style and vocal range opened incredible opportunities for him to work closely with many talented artists, and various national and international recording stars. Too numerous to mention each one, however, notable names include Patti Labelle, The Drifters, Dionne Warrick, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and 30 years with Atlantic Recording stars, The Spinners. Allen’s tenure with The Spinners included 23 years as their Musical Director. He is also very grateful to be able to add his 2011 induction into the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame to his resume.

After retiring in 2002 from touring with The Spinners, Allen accepted the honor of being Director of Music Ministries at Speedway United Methodist Church. On Sunday mornings, you can find him playing, singing and/or conducting one of the choirs for his home congregation. Many familiar hymns are given new life with updated rhythms and instrumentation to appeal to congregations of every age.  Fellow musicians are invited as guest artists to add to an already joyful and dedicated choir, bell choir and praise band to glorify our Lord. Following his mother’s longtime motto, “children are our greatest dividends”, Allen is known as “Mr. Allen” to his pre-k and kindergarten students at Speedway United Methodist Child Care, where he has taught since 2005.

Allen’s first choices for any available time is “to do absolutely anything, or nothing at all, with my wife, Melanie”, and visit daughters, Niki in Alabama, Lydia in Chicago, and son, Chris and his growing family in Columbus, Ohio.

“I am so happy that Melanie and I chose to attend and become members of Speedway U.M.C. We love the sincerity of our congregation and leadership. I humbly feel that there’s so much more to be offered and gained through the music I am a part of now, here at Speedway U.M.C. than anything I’ve done previously. I’ve come to know the arrangement of the music is not the focus, but the ‘vehicle’ to deliver the more important message of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. My task is to team with our Pastor and the other musicians in our choir, bell choir, and praise band to enhance and further illustrate that truth.”