Dan with Kuz Bruce, Ray Wood and Joey Hill at Dade City, FL.

Native American style flutes captured my interest and my heart in 2001. After picking up a flyer at a pow-wow, my daughters and I attended a flute circle in Gainesville, FL. Within just a few months, we'd each acquired several flutes.

I was amazed by the variation in these incredible instruments. Differences in woods, designs, tones and appearance led me to consider making one of my own. While I thought about it for more than a year, I didn't act until three accomplished flute makers ganged up on me. In a very good way -- at a local pow-wow.

On that fateful day, Kuzin Bruce, Joey Hill and Ray Wood (Island Flutes by Ray) started me on what appears to be a lifelong journey. Later, other world-class flute makers shared important lessons they had learned during many years of their own efforts. I won't try to name everyone for fear of forgetting someone, but people who came to know me well (Joey Hill, Ray Wood, Darrell Allen (Two Feather Flutes), Leonard McGann as well as flute makers I've spoken with at events, Russ Wolf, Dana Ross (Falcon Flutes and Drums), Mike Knight (Old Turtle Flutes), Utah Farris (Flight Feather Flutes), Brad 'Dog Soldier' Young (4 Wind Flutes)), and many others, have shared graciously of their expertise, time, advice and wisdom. I will remain eternally grateful.

Please note. I am not an enrolled member of any Native American tribe and therefore label my flutes using the word "style" to explicitly indicate they are "made in the style of Native American flutes."

In 2023, the flute I entered in the Musical Echoes Native American Flute and Cultural Festival flute makers competition was awarded first place.

In 2007, 2013 and again in 2022, my flutes were chosen as second place winners. I was, and will always be thrilled with these honors. However, one of my fondest memories is the fact that the only flute I bought at the Festival in 2007 for my own collection -- 15 minutes before the awards were announced, was made by Randy Stenzel of Feather Ridge Flutes. Randy's flute made of North Florida panhandle driftwood took third place in the flute maker's competition. Mike Knight earned another well deserved first place win that year.

My objectives are straight forward. A flute must play well before decorations are considered. I always try to make a flute that sounds great and looks good.  A flute bag must be durable so that it may appropriately protect the precious flutes carried within. A bag should also be as attractive as possible, to honor those flutes.

My maker's mark represents my name and so, is only placed on items when I'm personally satisfied with their quality.

Daniel Arrington