Tell us about your journey to becoming a flautist?
I was born in Seattle and grew up in a musical family – Dad was a trombonist and band teacher and Mom a pianist who taught privately and was my first “collaborative musician.” My dad’s parents also played piano and trombone, and I had cousins playing trumpet, clarinet, flute, trombone and piano. We sometimes all played together at Grandma and Grandpa Johnon’s farm, and led the hymns at their tiny church in the Skokomish Valley. At age five I started playing violin. When I was ten years old, my parents bought Whidbey Music Center in Oak Harbor and we all moved up there – so exciting! There were no string teachers in Oak Harbor at the time, so I switched to piano lessons. 6th grade band came around and I wanted to play oboe but was told no (!) by the band teacher. I was required to play the flute for a year first, and then I never looked back.
How did you decide to make a life in music?
I honestly don’t remember making a momentous decision to make music my career, there was just never any other choice for me!
Where did you complete your musical studies?
I earned my degree in flute performance at Boston University, studying with Doriot Anthony Dwyer and Leone Buyse. After university, I tried to attend as many workshops and master classes as I could. Some of the most memorable have been my studies with Louis Moyse, William Bennet and Lorna McGhee.
What was a most unusual performance you were involved in?
I’ve had some super fun and unique performing opportunities over the years! From a Baroque series performed in full costume (tall white wig and all), to weddings out in nature with all sorts of surprises! One that stands out was playing a solo version of Grateful Dead’s “Ripple” at Deception Pass . . . while a bee crawled up my skirt and stung my leg in several places!
Tell us your thoughts on the art of chamber music?
Chamber music is my personal favorite. The opportunity to really dig into a piece, to work all the tiny details, discuss and practice the shapes and contours and nuances that are possible … to collaborate with long time friends, sometimes with new acquaintances who may become old friends . . . this is the art of chamber music to me and I will always love it. Besides being so fortunate to perform with the BCMS, I also treasure my collaboration with Melodious Notes Over the Harbor (with Sue Collado and Pat Nelson and others) and the annual concert tour with “Noel Harps” (with Jill Whitman and crew).
If you teach, what do you love about teaching?
I just love and am inspired by every one of my students! I have taught all ages from 5 to 94, from beginners to advanced players to adults who are picking up their instrument after many years off. Every student has different goals, needs and reasons for seeking out lessons and I try to meet every student where they are. That opportunity to help someone toward a lovely tone, strong technique or musical interpretation just never gets old.
How do you spend your time outside music? Other interests?
I’m a big reader, murder and mayhem mostly – I read for entertainment LOL! I love to hike and garden. But a couple years ago I took up watercolor painting, and now I am absolutely obsessed!
