Changing Your Life

So...

It's been several months since I have posted, and with good reason. In May I was notified that not only was I accepted as a performer at my first choice summer program, I was also awarded a scholarship from an outside sponsor to attend. That was very exciting. In return for the scholarship, I was to write an article about the program for publication in the magazine The WHEEL (official publication of the Delta Omicron National Professional Music Fraternity).

The program of my choice changed my life forever. It changed the way that I looked at music, and the way that I look at myself. This was a joyous and a heartbreaking lesson to learn. I received comments saying that I was gifted as a musician and artist, but also harsh criticism in regards to my technical polish. Fair play.

To make a long story short, I had to change my perspective on music and playing the flute. You can't allow yourself to be identified by your instrument and how you play. That will only lead to heartache. When asked what type of musician I was, I would answer: I am a flutist. I allowed myself to identify that way. I now say: I play the flute. That subtle difference is important.

I am more than a flutist. I am a person with hopes, dreams, friends, family, hobbies, and so many things that cannot be put into words. I think too often that hardcore musicians forget that from time to time, and I most certainly did.

So I'm taking the advice I gave earlier: Live the dream. Feed your art, and don't smother it.

I'll write soon. But with a new attitude than I had before.