Welcome to my website. The information included here reflects my professional life as a performer and teacher. Highlighted as well are the activities of my flute studio and accomplishments of former students.

News Flash! My latest CD, Dedicated to Barrère, Vol. 2 has just been released by Crystal Records (CD 716). It features works of Gaubert, Griffes, Roussel, Varèse, Bach/Jacquet, Wallingford Riegger, Leonardo de Lorenzo, Richard Franko Goldman, Christiaan Kriens, and Marion Bauer, as well as the superb collaborative talents of pianist/composer Martin Amlin and harpist Paula Page.

On November 19, French soloist and conductor Jean Ferrandis presented a master class and recital at Rice. His ability to communicate the importance of playing naturally, and of using the body freely to enhance the musical message, was deeply inspiring. First and foremost, he stressed saying "Hello" before beginning to play. This simple act can connect us to the essence of artful flute playing: a natural inhalation that bypasses thoughts of blowing across an embouchure plate or reading notes and instead leads to direct, personal communication with our listeners. A musical score is only a guide, and our goal should be to convey a personal message as if we were singing or speaking. He advised students to focus completely on the music rather than thinking about sound, saying "If your music is beautiful, then your tone will necessarily be beautiful." Reminding everyone that a long note is "many small pictures," he repeatedly underscored the need to eliminate lower back tension, and to loosen knees, hips, and shoulders in order to find maximum air. His recommendation for rapid technical passages: Think long fingers, light pressure, with power coming from the back, and above all, don't change who you are! You may be riding on a fast train, but only the train is going fast--not you. Perhaps his most powerful message: "While you are playing, you must love the music and you must love yourself." Merci, Jean, for all the inspiration you continue to give us.

This coming summer I'll be teaching and performing at four programs: The Panoramic Flutist at UC Boulder, the Sarasota Music Festival, the Ithaca Flute Institute, and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (Brazil). I'll also be performing, as flutist of the Webster Trio, at the National Flute Association convention in Kansas City, presenting the world premiere of a new work for flute, clarinet, and piano by composer Robert Sirota. Thanks for your interest, and enjoy your visit.