Musician Spotlight
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Grew up: Fairfax, Virginia
Education: bachelor’s of music from Peabody Conservatory;
master’s from Northwestern University
Other professional experience: Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra,
Bach Festival Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Washington
Bach Consort
How did you choose flute/piccolo?
I started on violin when I was 4 and piano when I was 7. So
here I was at 8 years old walking to school when suddenly I
had an epiphany that the time had come for me to learn a new
instrument. I thought very carefully and I decided on the piccolo
because it was the smallest instrument and, therefore, the cutest.
That meant I had to learn the flute, which was just fine with me. So
after a year of pleading with my parents and dismantling my wire
stand so I could pretend I was playing the flute, I finally got one!
And the rest is history...
What fascinates you besides music?
Faith and family for sure. People, I really love people. And then definitely watching elite and NCAA
gymnastics! Seriously, I’m obsessed because I never got to actually do it. Figure skating, gastronomy (I just
love to eat), and pandas (plus any other cute animal).
Describe a musical experience that changed your life.
This is a hard question because I feel there is a constant symbiotic relationship between the music I am
experiencing and what’s happening in my life. For example, a few years ago I was going through a difficult
season of life, and I heard this incredibly moving and simple melody on the flute streaming on my computer. It
expressed everything that was in my heart. So I immediately looked it up and saw it was the first movement
of the Rouse Flute Concerto. I felt so far away from making music of that caliber, so I just said this little
silent prayer that I wanted to play this music. Somehow. And then life went on. Four months later, I was
corresponding with a conductor who said, “Hey I was thinking of doing some of Christopher Rouse’s music
next season. How would you feel about playing his flute concerto?” Boom! I could not believe it. It remains
to this day the most organic artistic process I have ever had with a piece of music. Now whenever I listen to it, I
am filled with gratitude and peace.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on stage?
Oh dear. Last season TFO was performing Mahler’ Symphony No. 2 and at the time I was living in Orlando. I
left around 4 for a concert that began at 7:30, and was making great time until a massive car accident caused
a 90-minute delay. All I could do was call the personnel manager and explain that I would certainly be late to
the concert. So while I was stuck on I-4 catastrophizing like a mature adult, the rest of the TFO flute section
scrambled to cover my part until I arrived. At which point, it had been decided that I would walk on stage
along with the soprano during the third movement (you know, like the featured guest artist that I wasn’t!).
And that’s exactly what we did, and I sat down like nothing was wrong and proceeded to play the rest of the
symphony. And it’s funny, because the piece is so involved for all musicians that several TFO members later
said they had no idea what happened!
What about you would surprise people?
I met my husband, Dan, while dangling 30 feet in the air at a local rock climbing gym. It was hilarious. Our
story was like one of those cheesy romantic comedies that you see on the Hallmark Channel. The only thing
missing was having perfectly straight white teeth. It sounds totally obnoxious, but it truly is our story!
THE FLORIDA OR 78 CHESTRA | 2017-2018