They express themselves in public in so many interesting ways. That was eye opening for me...but I like it.

It was hard to be so far away from my family, I’ll admit. But everyone here was willing to help. And remember: music is the universal language, so I’ve made a lot of friends. I love playing video games with them, watching movies, or going into New York for concerts or the opera.

THE MAGIC FLUTE

How did I decide to become a classical flutist? In Europe, there’s a lot more interest in classical music, and they start serious training when you’re young. In seventh grade, I tried playing the trumpet in the school band. But, one of my friends played the flute, and I just loved the way it sounded. So, on Fridays after school, I’d sneak into her locker, take her flute home, and pretty much teach myself how to play it. Early Monday morning, I’d rush back to school early and sneak it back into her locker. I don’t think she ever caught on to me. The next year, I switched to the flute for good.

After I get my M.M. degree, I’d like to try for a career as a soloist, traveling and performing around the world. First, I’ll probably go back to Europe for more study and to look for orchestral jobs and more competitions to enter.

WHO AM I?   

Maybe the thing that’s surprised me the most here at Purchase is how hard I work at becoming a professional. Tara Helen O’Connor, my flute professor, is always pushing me to try harder to understand exactly what it is I’m doing with my playing. Really, the Purchase College Conservatory of Music is all about learning who I am and what I want to accomplish with my music.

Then, I went to hear Sir James Galway in concert at Avery Fisher Hall and got to go backstage to meet him. He was interested in me, so I sent him a demo. That led to an amazing chance to study with him last summer in Switzerland. It was really intense. He taught me to modify my playing and to think about what I’m trying to accomplish.

PLANTING MUSIC SEEDS

Whatever I do in music, I know it will involve teaching. I love to teach; I have to teach! I wouldn’t feel complete without sharing what I know about music, especially with little kids. This year, the Sleepy Hollow School District hired me to teach the recorder and some music basics to second and third graders. It was an unbelievable amount of fun! I just loved working with those kids.

Eventually, I’d like to open a school someplace where music would be highly appreciated—someplace in a third-world country. I mean, we send people to teach farmers in Africa about agriculture; why not teach them music, too?