He sang spirituals to Antonin Dvorak. At that time, Dvorak was in control of the orchestra at the National Conservatory which had African –American men from St. Philips as part of it. Burleigh played the double bass and the tympani and assisted Mr. Antonin Dvorak. Both men made a great relationship. Burleigh having learnt old plantation songs from his grandmother, which were later regarded to as spirituals, would sing to Mr. Antonin Dvorak after dinner when Dvorak was worn-out.