Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
Victor Hugo
I grew up in a musical family, being taught music at an early age. I took instruction in piano and violin, never excelling in either. In 6th grade, it was time to choose an instrument for the band program. I picked the French Horn. Finally, something I could play well. I enjoyed most the part that the horn plays in musical scores, not taking melody but the band certainly would not be complete without it’s voice. I was the only instrumentalist at my small boarding school, so I often played solos until the band program began in my Senior year. I truly loved to play the horn parts in Baroque music, especially Bach. In Middle School, I participated in the Steel Drum Band as part of the school’s band program. I very much enjoyed this experience and think back to it often with fond memories. I also played handbells and goofed around on guitar for a bit.
As I went to college, I left my music world behind as I knew being a professional musician was not in my cards. After picking up the Native American Style flute in my early twenties, I realized how my life had been incomplete without music. Sure, I listened to many bands and went to concerts. I even studied while listening to the classical pieces that I once played. But, my heart was empty after not playing for so long. This wooden flute opened me up to a new world of music. Not one of intense study as when I was young, but one of many possibilities. I began listening to World Music and purchasing ethnic instruments. These instruments allowed a free flowing of musical expression that I had not experienced before. Truly has changed my life.