Burkart-Phelan, Incorporated was founded in 1982 by Lillian Burkart and James Phelan while they were both employees of the Verne Q. Powell company. Jim had recently become general manager and Lillian had made flute bodies, keys, padded flutes and piccolos and tested instruments. The company was originally founded to provide outside subcontract services to Powell for the manufacture of piccolos.

Uniquely positioned in the repair department, as well as servicing private repair needs of flutists around the country, Lillian had studied the elusive complexities of the piccolo. Taking a leave of absence from flute making, after six months of design, tooling and testing, Lillian had produced a prototype piccolo, which combined the best acoustical attributes of all piccolos studied. For nine years this instrument was made under the roof of Burkart-Phelan, Inc., and retailed as the Powell piccolo.

Married in 1984, they moved the business to Stoneham, Massachusetts. It was also that year that Jim with Rob Viola acquired the Powell company from the previous owners, Dick Jerome and Elmer Waterhouse.

In 1986, Powell had to call Lillian back as headjoint maker. Again, her efforts resulted in increased sales and allowed Powell to expand into Japan and Korea. Jim began engineering courses in in 1986, recognizing the need to bring 20th century technology to the flute making process. The same year he brought in a new partner who brought an infusion of capital and management expertise. Jim left Powell in 1989 and he finished his mechanical engineering degree at Northeastern University. As Jim completed his studies, BPI grew under Lillian's direction.

In 1990, 10 years of expertise in piccolo making culminated in the introduction of the Lillian Burkart custom piccolo, which today offers a choice of one of Lillian's three distinct headjoint styles.

Upon completion of his degree, Jim entered the world of mechanical engineering designing electron-beam guns, automobile components and surgical instruments. After a few years, however, in response to increasing requests for a Lillian Burkart flute from players using the Lillian Burkart flute headjoint, Jim joined his wife in building beautiful instruments, uniting his engineering skill and 18 years of flutemaking expertise.

Jim has authored the Complete Guide to the Flute and produced the "Flute Fitness" video on repair. He continues to give lectures on repair, building and acoustics of musical instruments.

On demand of Burkart headjoint players and piccolo owners, the Burkart professional flute, with numerous innovations was premiered in 1996.

As a world leader in piccolo making, Lillian Burkart along with Jim Phelan introduced the all new Burkart & Phelan piccolo in August of 1998. This instrument is a moderately priced, handmade piccolo with grenadilla wood body and solid sterling silver keys.

In March of 1998, the workshop and offices of Burkart-Phelan, Inc. moved into a new expanded facility in Acton, Massachusetts, an easily accessible western suburb of Boston. Here music making, instrument building, and service to players are closely integrated.

Due to the success of the Lillian Burkart Professional Flute, Burkart-Phelan launched the competitively priced Burkart & Phelan Flute in late 2002, and began full producion in 2003. Made with drawn-tone holes and coupled with the Lillian Burkart professional headjoint, this flute gained a rapid reputation for unbeatable performance for its price.
The 14K Gold version of this became available in 2005.
This handmade Burkart & Phelan flute continues to be the choice of students, amateurs, and professionals with budget considerations.

In August of 2004, Burkart-Phelan, Inc again raised the bar in piccolo performance - this time focusing on the student market - with the introduction of the Global piccolo. This product has become an incredible worldwide success.

In April of 2006, Burkart-Phelan, Inc expanded once more to an exceptional facility in Shirley, Massachusetts. A larger machine shop (now with 3 new 21st century machines), more effective production area, and redesigned testing room allows Burkart-Phelan Flutes & Piccolos to continue to provide world-class instruments for today's demanding musicians.

Today, flutes and piccolos produced by Burkart-Phelan, Inc are played by students, teachers, amateurs, and professionals in over 35 countries and on every continent except Antartica - at least we're not aware of any instruments of ours in Antartica. (Please contact us if you're playing our piccolo or flute there!)

We have grown, yet we continue to be a small company with a focus on stability, quality and performance. The Burkart name is trusted worldwide for these traits. We are proud to combine 21st century technology with 2.5 decades of expertise and superior customer service. It is this synergy that allows us to produce first-rate flutes and piccolos to meet your 21st century requirements.

Please contact us for a trial of our flutes or piccolos.
We look forward to working with you.