National Flute Association Convention

Walfrid Kujala and I. Walter gave a heartfelt and funny talk on the mentors that have influenced him the most during his life.

I recently returned from Las Vegas, Nevada, where I attended the National Flute Association Convention at Caesars Palace.  It had been a few years since I had attended a NFA convention and I had such a great time!  I returned home inspired and ready to start another year of performing and teaching.  One of my students, however, was less thrilled to hear of my new scale and warm-up book purchases.  I was told I should have only purchased more French repertoire!  I'm guessing that's what she's going to request to work on this year...(surprise, surprise)

On the first day, the very first people I ran into as I entered the Convention Center were 3 fellow flutists from the Victoria Conservatory of Music.  What a small world!  I shouldn't have been surprised, though, as we were all heading to a performance of new works by Canadian Composers performed by Mark Takehashi McGregor and Jessica Raposo, who I attended the University of British Columbia with, and Amy Hamilton, who was my amazing teacher at Wilfrid Laurier University.  It was the perfect way to start the convention!

Highlights from the convention included a session on technology with Jim Walker, Nina Perlove and Linda D. Howard, an introduction to beatboxing on your flute with Greg Pattillo and the NFA Pedagogy Committee Teacher's Breakfast with Walfrid Kujala.

If you love the flute, you should definitely book a flight to attend next year's convention in New Orleans, Louisiana!

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Mark and I at UBC. Generally up to no good...