Excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker

nutcracker ballet artwork

There is a really strong chance that if you play the flute, you will play part or all of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker at some point in your career. Tunes from this two-act ballet have become synonymous with Christmas, and chances are during December, there is a performance happening in a theatre near you!  The Nutcracker is based on Alexandre Dumas’…

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Short Summer Music Festivals in 2024

summer festival flute players

There’s no doubt that attending a summer festival can be beneficial for your career. It allows you to meet musicians from across the world, expand your knowledge of solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire, experience a new place, learn from some of the industry’s best, stay active in music throughout the summer, and enhance your C.V..…

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Creating a Semester Practice Plan

creating a semester practice plan

I’ve had the idea to write a quick blog on the importance of creating a semester practice plan for a while, and what better time to write it than the start of the semester! I imagine you’ve heard a lot of what I’ll suggest before, but I hope this serves as a reminder and  motivator…

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Where to Find Flute Repertoire

sheet music

I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent digging for new repertoire to play. At first I had no idea where I should even start looking. But what I’ve learned along the way is that though finding and choosing repertoire can be challenging, it can also be exciting…

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Best Backpacks for Flutists

Finding a backpack that is high quality, cost-friendly, and large enough to fit your flute is hard to come by. I’ve been looking for a new backpack for a few months, and thought I would share some options that are (a) cheaper than Roi or Alteri bags (which are roughly $200 and $250, respectively), (b)…

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The Top 5 Books Every Flutist Should Own

stack-of-flute-books

In my career, there are a few books I have used over and over again for research, pedagogy, performance tips, and repertoire ideas. I’ve compiled a list so you can utilize these helpful books as well! 1) Toff, Nancy. The Flute Book, 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. The Flute Book is the best one-stop comprehensive…

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