From Body Cast to Belly Dancing Flutist Viviana Guzman’s Inspiring Life
Viviana Guzman is a phoenix bird. Rising out of the ashes of a difficult early life, she has emerged like
Read MoreJuly 2013
Interview with Carol Wincenc
Live video interview with Carol Wincenc.
Read MoreSupporting Composers: by Sy Brandon
I believe that it was the late Dr. Neil Humfeld, former Trombone Professor at the University of Texas at Commerce, who had a requirement that all his students giving recitals needed to contribute in some way to expanding the repertoire of their instrument.
Read MoreComposing for the Flute: Far Corners and November Sonata. by Bruce Lazarus
Throughout my career as a composer I’ve been fascinated with the the expressive and technical possibilities of the flute; its apparently unlimited agility, high register which may be strident or delicately bell-like, breathy harmonics, and the darkness of its lowest tones.
Read MoreNicole Esposito: Blue Solitude Review
Nicole Esposito, flute professor at The University of Iowa, has recently released an album featuring works by Latin American composers. This collection includes both art music as well as folk songs arranged for this ensemble. Esposito’s beautiful, lush sound blends quite well with the stringed instruments with which she is playing, especially in the flute’s lower register.
Read MoreIan Clarke: Deep Blue Review
Ian Clarke’s second album doesn’t disappoint. Each of these works was written by Clarke between the years 2006 and 2012, and this album proves that he continues to write music that is fresh, inventive, and accessible.
Read MoreHappy, Healthy Hands: by Beverly Hawkins
Technology, laptops and handheld devices have changed the demands on everyone’s hands. Add being a flutist and you can quickly experience some discomfort. Relax! There is a lot you can do to navigate non-flute related tasks by having your arms, hands, shoulders and neck, work smarter, not harder!
Read MoreThe future of American orchestras: Three Approaches
Orchestras have come under a great deal of pressure in the last few years to be more inclusive, to reach out to their communities and create innovative programs and embrace various art forms and musical styles. As a result many interesting concerts are happening – some more successful than others. Orchestras are creating programs that relate to their particular demographic and that work to build audiences.
Read MoreFlutes by the Sea
As I write this listening to the waves crash by the sea, it is difficult to not be inspired by these surroundings. Viviana Guzman’s Flutes by the Sea masterclass, in its first year, was a combination of masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and concerts from flutists of all ages set in the beautiful, oceanfront city of Half Moon Bay, CA.
Read MoreBETA BLOCKERS: stage fright cure or unfair advantage?
A hot topic in the sports world is the use of performance enhancing drugs. From Lance Armstrong most recently, to any number of Olympic athletes and professional baseball players, there is a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. Why? Quite simply, steroids give athletes an unfair advantage. Athletes have been fired and their titles stripped because of the use of steroids. Classical musicians are under the same, if not more, pressure than athletes to succeed and play flawlessly.
Read More