Liam Burden graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a BMus and a BMusHons cum laude. He specialized in saxophone performance under Darryl Walters. During his Honours year Liam was afforded the opportunity of studying abroad at the West Virginia University in the United States of America where he studied saxophone with Dr Michael Ibrahim and conducting with Dr Mitchell Arnold. In collaboration with the composition department, Liam successfully conducted the first KOMPOS concert which included works composed by the students for the event. In 2009 Liam collaborated with the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department, and Peter Krummeck, as the musical director for the play with music entitled Brothers.
Liam has been a member of staff at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre since January 2012 where he teaches saxophone and clarinet. Liam is conductor of the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra.