A Year of Music & Adventure!
Happy New Year!
How is your new year shaping up? I hope it is off to a wonderful start - and that your plans for 2024 include plenty of great music and adventures!
This week, I’m sharing some epic highlights from my year - most of which were only possible because of your support, concert attendance, and continual encouragement.
After about 5 years in a traditional work setting, 2023 was the year I finally took the leap back into music and began combining it with another incredible love of mine: the great outdoors.
It has been a wild ride full of ups, downs, and everything in-between, and I want you to know how incredibly grateful I am to have you along on this journey of mine. Your support means the WORLD to me.
I look forward to creating more music and adventure to share with you in the coming year, but until then please enjoy this recap of 2023!
The Journey Started in April
In April, I ventured out on my first solo-backpacking trip: three days and two nights on the Ozark Trail along the Current River (one of my very favorite places).
Of course, you know I took a packable flute along and serenaded the trees several times along the way.
The beauty and peace I experienced on my 20+ mile excursion was incredible. I always find that my creativity soars when I'm all alone in the woods.
Exploring Solo Flute Gigs in May
In May, I embarked on an equally exciting adventure - live solo flute gigs.
This is something I've always wanted to try but haven't ever found the courage to do... until this year. With some audio engineering help (thanks, Mike!), a stack of solo flute music, and some lovely presenters who booked me...
I discovered a new landscape that I fell in love with.
Providing a relaxing, beautiful ambiance for guests during events and art gallery openings brought me so much joy - and it seemed like everyone else (young children through adults) enjoyed it too!
Orchestral Playing in June
In June, I had the honor of playing in the Missouri Symphony during the six-week Firefly Music Festival!
It was a WHIRLWIND and so very fun. Playing at least two full symphonic concerts every week had me learning music faster than I think I ever had - and I met some wonderful colleagues and concert attendees along the way.
My favorite moment from the summer was giving a massive concert in the atrium of the Missouri State Historical Society. The acoustics were incredible, and I loved the intimate setting we had with the audience standing all around us while we played.
A September's Rest in Nature
After a busy summer of playing, I took a trip with my husband to Boxley, Arkansas where we enjoyed several days in the remote wilderness along the Buffalo River.
Our cabin was off the grid, nestled in an International Dark Sky park, and I will always remember our peaceful evening sitting on the bluff staring up at the Milky Way.
We have such an amazing planet!
Flute Journey Was Born in October
In October, I launched Flute Journey for the very first time at the Missouri River Regional Library!
To those of you who attended - thank you so much! And to those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about...
Flute Journey is a multi-media concert that combines solo flute music with stories and footage from my outdoor adventures.
The first iteration was exhilarating - and from the many lovely comments I received afterward - it seemed like maybe this was an idea that I could run with.
I'm making plans to present Flute Journey again this Spring... so stay tuned!
A December Filled with Holiday Music
Well, let's just say they don't say Merry Gigmas for nothing!
I was blessed with several wonderful holiday gigs this year including Missouri Symphony's Winter Miracle, a Christmas cantata at Missouri UMC, prelude & offertory music at First UMC here in Jefferson City, and a new collaboration with my harpist colleague, Tashianna Merryman!
We created a delicious evening of relaxing Christmas music for our guests at Serendipity Salon and Spa in Columbia - and I can't wait to do it again. The combination of harp & flute is truly heavenly, and our attendees really enjoyed the chance to relax and soak in some gorgeous music.
We are planning our next flute & harp recital in early March - so you'll have to stay tuned for that as well!
Once more, thank you so much for following along, attending concerts, and cheering me on.
None of this would be possible without you!
I hope you’ll join my community by signing up for my monthly email newsletter. You’ll be the first to know where I’ll be playing next and the latest scoop on my recent outdoor adventures!
Have a wonderful January, and I’ll see you again soon.
Yours truly,
Katie