My first flute teacher was Gary Sigurdson.
Gary Sigurdson was always smiling, always happy and pleasent to be around. This picture is so serious!! I studied with him when my parents taught in Interlochen Arts Academy. I was much too young to go to the Academy, but it was then that I took up the flute. We lived next door to Mr. Sigurdson, and I remember seeing him in his yard with his baby son. When the weather was warm enough to open the windows, I'm sure he heard me practice.
My second flute teacher was Claudia Anderson.
This was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I can't praise Ms. Anderson enough. What I learned from her all those years ago still sticks with me to this day. She was a very young teacher and always had a gift for teaching and performing. Now as two adults and flutists, we are friends and keep in touch whenever we can.
Claudia Anderson and I also have something in common other than a piece of our past: We both play flutes by Miyazawa.
In Austin, Texas, I studied with John Hicks. I was in my mother's womb when we first met. Mr. Hicks was principal flute when my father was concertmaster in the San Antonio Symphony. My father died in 1987. When studying with Mr. Hicks I felt a closeness to him like my second father.
At the University of North Texas, I studied with Mary Karen Clardy.
I hope Mary Karen isn't afraid of heights because I put her on the highest pedestal there is! She is a fine pianist as well as a flutist and is such a kind person to be around when I get really frustrated working on tough pieces.
At the University of Colorado at Boulder, I studied with Alexa Still.
I made a few trips to Boulder to have a few sessions with Alexa. She was helping me to get ready to record the Franck Sonata someday. She helps many professionals to get ready for big projects like this. At first it was scary studying with such a famous flutist, but she loves and takes such interest in all of her students. I got calm around her after a while. She truly is a gifted teacher and performer.
At Louisiana State University, I studied with Katherine Kemler:
I made a trip to Baton Rouge to have a session with Dr. Kemler. She also helps other professional flutists to get ready for big projects such as recording and performing. Dr. Kemler cares deeply about her students. She demands you to put your ALL into the flute and use 150% of your brain. At the very same time she is so nice. It's just Tough Love. Anyone that studies with her will thank her later. It took me only one week after my first few lessons to thank her. Thanks again Dr. Katherine Kemler!
I am so very lucky to have studied with these wonderful teachers. I love and respect every one of them and am forever grateful.