Let’s be real: 2020 was a tough year. It probably sparked some shifts in your life, challenging you to think differently about your time, values, and worldview. Thankfully, ringing in the new year offers a sanctioned time to reflect on the past, set hopes for the future, and get our feet on the ground in the present.
In this workshop, we’ll explore strategies for finding a more grounded practice through a fusion of flute technique, body awareness, creative journaling, and discussion. We’ll cover a wide range of topics from tone quality and practice habits to inspiration and intention.
For better or worse, our music-making is wrapped up in all this — our joys and pains, celebrations and challenges, beliefs and doubts are funneled into how we approach the flute. This is amazing! It’s what makes us inimitable as artists. But how can we make sure that the stress and weirdness of our current moment doesn’t wreak havoc on our artistry? That we aren’t harboring tension in our bodies and, by extension, in the sounds we make? That we remain flexible with things like productivity and motivation? And that our practice, even in the midst of chaos, is anchored in some kind of meaning?
Maybe these kinds of questions have shaped your year and pushed you toward a fresh start, as they have for me. Maybe you’ve thrived in the 2020 environment and are eager to share your joy and discoveries. Maybe you’ve drifted from your practice and want to settle back into it in a way that feels genuine. Wherever you find yourself, you are welcome here. So put on your comfy pants, grab a notebook and your favorite flute exercises, and get ready to make your flute practice true to you.
Danielle (Dani) Stevens Nutting is a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois building a versatile career as a performer, pedagogue, writer, and researcher. After returning from a Fulbright grant to Bulgaria, Dani is writing her dissertation on Bulgaria’s unique classical flute tradition and its intersection with local traditional culture. Dani has performed with Sinfonia da Camera, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She was a two-time quarterfinalist in the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition and took second place in the NFA’s Orchestral Audition Masterclass Competition. A passionate advocate for repertory and musical styles beyond the western canon, Dani also plays the Bulgarian traditional flute, the kaval. In addition to her university-level teaching, Dani maintains an active private studio for flutists of all ages. Her innovative pedagogy is informed by her work in ethnomusicology, writing studies, and movement systems like Alexander Technique and yoga. Dani holds performance degrees from the University of Cincinnati CCM (MM) and Texas State University (BM). Her primary teachers are Jonathan Keeble, Lydia Oshavkova, and Adah Toland Jones.
This live event will be on the SDFG Discord.
Discord is free to use, but you do need an email and password to login. Please create your Discord account prior to the event. Once you're in the server, you should see a list of channels on the left. This class will be under VIRTUAL SERIES "3rd Saturday @3:00pm". If you have any questions, please email sandiegofluteguild@gmail.com