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 meeting of the Woodland Echoes Flute Circle. 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 caused me to consider trying to make one of my own. While I kept thinking 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 Thanksgiving pow-wow.
On that fateful day, Kuzin Bruce (Kuzin Bruce Flutes), Joey Hill and Ray Wood (Island Flutes) 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 makers who know me well (Joey Hill, Ray Wood and Darrell Allen of Two Feathers Flutes), and those I've spoken with (Leonard McGann (Lone Crow Flutes), Russ Wolf, Mike Knight (Old Turtle Flutes), Utah Farris (Flight Feather Flutes), Brad 'Dog Soldier' Young (4 Wind Flutes)), and many others, who have shared so graciously of their expertise, time, advice and wisdom, please know I will remain eternally grateful.
In 2007, the flute I entered in Musical Echoes Native American Flute and Cultural Festival makers competition was chosen as the second place winner (see: 'Competition Winners' > '2007'). I was, and will always be thrilled with this honor. However, one of my fondest memories is the fact that the only flute I bought that year -- 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.
My personal objectives are straight forward. A flute must play well and sound good before decorative elements are considered. My objectives are to: (1) make a flute that plays well; (2) sounds good; and, (3) hopefully looks as good or better than it sounds and plays.
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 mark and name are only placed on items when I'm personally satisfied with the quality.
