Growing up in a small town just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, I never imagined my flute would one day be blending with country guitars and bluegrass banjos. As the youngest of five children in a tight-knit Catholic family, creativity and music were always part of my life. From the time I was a small child, I loved performing in school musicals at our parish school. But it wasn’t until sixth grade that I truly found my voice—through the silver sound of the flute.
I didn’t take a traditional path to the flute. In fact, I first tried playing brass instruments and even attempted percussion, but neither felt quite right. Then I picked up the flute. From the very first sound I made, I felt at home. I was a natural when it came to producing a tone, and from that moment on, I was hooked.
By middle school, I was determined to move through the beginner books as quickly as possible. I practiced diligently and began to see results. When I entered high school, my passion deepened. I devoted two hours every night to practicing. I attended Flute Camp every summer, directed by the late Dr. Robin Fellows at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. I was first chair flute in our high school band for all four years.
It was also in high school that I fell in love with country music. I still remember learning how to line dance in PE class to Brooks and Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” The rhythm, the twang, the storytelling—it all resonated with me.
After graduating in 1996, I went on to major in Music Education at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, studying flute under Dr. Robin Fellows. After college, I mostly performed in church services. But part of me always wondered—what would it sound like to play country music on the flute?
Years later, that curiosity led me to arrange the iconic fiddle solo from Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” for flute. I recorded my version and made a video. From that moment on, I stopped looking back. I had found my niche.
Since then, I’ve arranged flute parts for several country favorites, including:
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“Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill
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“Crazy” by Willie Nelson
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“Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band
I also discovered a deep love for bluegrass and began exploring how the flute fits into that high-energy, roots-based sound. This passion inspired my debut album, Appalachian Jam, which was released in February. It features both traditional covers and original compositions that blend country, bluegrass, and jazz influences.
Some of the traditional tunes on the album include:
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“Cindy” (Get along home, Cindy, Cindy…)
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“Salty Dog Blues”
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“Old Joe Clark”
Alongside these favorites, you’ll also hear my own compositions, where I experiment with different sounds while staying true to my country roots. You can listen to these tracks and watch me perform many of them on my YouTube channel, where I regularly post videos of my arrangements and original music.
Being a country flutist might not be the most common path—but for me, it’s the perfect combination of my classical foundation, rural upbringing, and love for American music traditions. I hope my journey inspires other musicians to explore new genres and take creative risks with their instrument.
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