Hi Katie! I had posted on one of your previous videos that I won an orchestra audition for bassoon a couple years ago. This past summer I decided to take an audition for another symphony that is closer to home thinking it would be nice to have flexibility on what services to pick and choose from if I ended up winning. The orchestra was arguably "lower caliber" than my current orchestra given the service pay and size of the city, but I still practiced my butt off. I think I practiced even harder than I did for the audition I had previously won, but it was just "one of those days" come audition day and I ended up playing the worst audition of my life and not even advancing past the first round. In retrospect, I definitely burned myself out preparing for the audition and the feelings of shame afterwards were horrible. I could barely bring myself to practice and had to force myself to get ready for gigs. I'm so lucky how supportive my section mates are in my symphony...once the season started and I was making music again I was able to work past the feelings of failure from this past summer's audition. I hope music making during the holiday season will revitalize you and bring you joy. Your videos have always been inspiring for me even though we play different instruments.
As a musician, I completely understand this feeling. I went through something similar last March and afterwards I was so heartbroken and burnt out that I almost quit music entirely. It’s been 8 months, and I’ve decided to keep making music professionally but I am still not yet back at 100% and I am not going as full steam ahead as I had years prior. I think taking that step back to reevaluate where you’re at and where your heart is - especially with your love of music, is healthy and important ❤
This is super emotional to hear. It is something most of us have felt and I love that you are bringing light to this topic! Just recently I lost my love for playing and I took a well deserved break after pushing for an audition for 5 months straight. I just got back from my break since I found out I made it to state and when I went through my pieces I sounded 1000 times better! I have been so hard on myself and not accepting of my body telling me to take a break. Then when I wanted to, I couldn’t since I had district that week. I am just so thankful that you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to help other musicians that are or have experienced this.
Aww, I’m glad you’re back. I’m no professional by any means but I am finally in a place where I can play for me and your videos have always helped give me a little extra push.
Thank you Katie, your statement of ,”Why do I sound like this, it’s so out of tune… it’s so this.. it’s so that…” really resonated with me. You also mentioned how we tend to have higher expectations for ourselves compared to others which is very true. I agree we need to be kinder with ourselves and it makes me feel better that I am not the only one going through this, but can be a normal feeling, especially from an amazing professional flutist as yourself. I just want to say thank you Katie and to let you know, YOUR DOING GREAT!”.
I’m a music student right now! I’ve been so burnt out and tired and consistently feeling bad about my playing. Your videos inspire me and make me want to play! When I’m feeling unmotivated, I watch one of your videos and I feel less alone in this process of becoming the best flutists we can be. I try to remind myself that lulls in progress are normal. These negative feelings will pass and to show myself a little grace and patience. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable with us 💕
We all have been there and we absolutely understand the time you needed to take for yourself. It is always good to see you. I literally smiled when UA-cam recommended your video. 2 years ago, I made my mind to learn flute when I saw your Cecile Chaminade Concertino (Flute & Piano) video which is my ultimate goal. This coming December, one of my recital pieces is Sicilienne Faure.
Hi Katie! Thank you for sharing these difficult times with us; we all have them, these times when the pleasure in what we do has drained away. It sounds like you have found some ways to recapture those elusive feelings from the past, when music & life & everything else seemed to flow so easily. Hang in there, give Miguel a warm cuddle (or more celery!) and you will find your way. Because playing is not about perfection, it is a way of breathing your soul into sound. 🦋
Welcome Back Katie. As an artist in a different medium, I feel this in my soul. Being a professional creative is the ultimate act of vulnerability. When we tie our passion to our livelihood, it takes on an entirely different weight. Sometimes, we need those steps back to remember why we feel in love with the art in general. Glad you took the time for you and also glad you're back. You reinspired me to pick back up the flute over 20 years after putting it down. You reminded me of my why of why I loved the instrument so much. Glad you came back to yours!
I am a very amateur flutist...I play in a community band. But I wanted to let you know that something you said resonated with me. About forgetting perfection and just enjoying the music. Even I, an amateur, have been feeling burned out, but that hit home. I've been too focused on perfection, and not enjoying the music. I'm going to make an effort to change that so I can enjoy it again.
I started watching your videos which feels like forever ago, at a time when I sort of rekindled my love for the flute. It has since been quite the journey, so I understand how you feel. While I have not taken the path I expected, I am very happy about where I’m at in life and wishing the same for you! For some reason your content, playing and personality just resonates with me a lot and I am looking forward to seeing more 😊
Katie, thank you so much for everything. You are not alone in feeling burnt out and I thank you for sharing because it makes me feel not alone in it. And I’m sure many others. But truly you have been such an inspiration. I’ve been watching you for years and even picked up my flute again and even had some gigs with it. I forgot how much I missed playing and improving myself as a musician. Your videos have not only inspired me but are truly my comfort videos. I can’t explain it you just ground me so much when I’m feeling overwhelmed or uninspired. So I thank you. I’m so happy to see you back and excited for the future. Love from, Colorado.
So glad you're posting videos again! It's so normal to want private time! You're inspiration for so many of us who have same struggles like you - selfcritisism, burning outs and desprare. I'm a singer and flutist and work as music editor - and it's so hard to push myself forward and not to leave some of it... Thank you for your stubborness and resiliant!
Thanks for sharing Katie! A lot of what you said during the chat resonated with what I've been working on in therapy. I wish you much self- compassion and grace. It's a hard thing to give ourselves sometimes. But it's great to have your vlogs back during the holidays ^-^ I also still have my yellow book! I pulled a couple of those for solos & ensembles in middle school and I still go back to it ever so often. Miguel looks like a whole gentleman now!
I appreciate your openness in this vlog! I think we can all relate to having thrown everything we had into trying for a certain outcome, and having our effort somehow fall short, and then having to recover and reset. Sorry to hear that some of your warm fuzzy feelings about music took a knock in the process, but you know the love is still there. It's good that you're using a nice fun project to get back to that. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you for posting this. Being a musician is very hard and it is very competitive. Being a flutist is particularly competitive. I played a long time ago and wanted to be a musician. I ended up being a nurse instead, mostly because I didn't feel like I was good enough at the flute. I am playing again and getting some gain day by day. It is a reminder to me that everyone who plays music has their doubts and their bad days. I am sorry you are going through this, but this road will make you stronger and will lead you to an even more rewarding path down the road.
I'm a musician, but chose take a step back from pursuing it professionally because I knew that what you've been going through this year would make it so hard to consistently find joy in it. You're honestly my favorite flute player and actually inspired me to come back to the flute (it was my second instrument!) in my adulthood and I actually found joy in playing again! You're very *very* gifted and I'm excited to hear more of your playing!
Thank you so much for your vulnerability. They are feelings many of us share, and I applaud your courage in wanting to help others. 😊 I’m also feeling the pull to remember my early passion for music, and love that you are revisiting the yellow book! Such fond memories. Glad you are taking care of yourself - be well. 💕
Glad to see a new post, I was wondering how you were doing, but life can get chaotic and things happen. Burn out is definitely a rough thing to go through. Wish you all the best, and can't wait to see your new flute and piccolo.
It's nice to see you back Katie. Losing your mojo for whatever reason is always hard. I've been through it a few times for health reasons and my teacher has been brilliant at helping me find it again xx
Yay, you’re back, love watching your posts. Glad you shared, we all resonate to those feelings. Yass to 24 Short Concert Pieces, mine is old and beat up and I love it.
Katie, I hope this message finds you well and strong. I want you to know that you are a role model for many people. Thank you for sharing so many experiences with us. Look... your videos go far... they fly... and they reach this small town (where I live) here in the north of Brazil, very close to the Amazon rainforest... May God always bless you and may you achieve your goals and much more. Hugs!
Hola @katieflute querida!!! Que lindo volver a encontrarte por aquí!!!!sería posible que actives el subtitulo en español...creo que nos paso a todos por lo que entendí en lo que contas, todos nos hemos tenido que enfrentar a perdernos para volver a encontrarnos porque siento también que era ese paso a la otra etapa...el volver con otras herramientas que uno recogió de ese "frenar" y el conectar desde otra perspectiva propia...te acompaño porque estoy en el mismo vagón de cambio 😊❤
Good to see you Katie from over the pond. Just glad to hear you are well. How amazing you are remember that so few people can do what you do. Remember to pat yourself on the back now and then for your achievements. See you when we see you.. ❤
I completely understand how you’re feeling. I’ve been going through so many changes in my playing and have been confused and over working myself just to get back to a place where I feel comfortable and the funny part is once I’m finally starting to sound decent again I’m losing motivation and am just getting burn out ( still feel like I don’t sound good enough). It can be hard to keep moving forward and do the things we need to do, especially when they’re something we used to look forward to doing. I’m glad you’re back and have been one of your BIGGEST fans ever since I’ve started playing the flute, I literally memorized the words to almost all of your vlogs lol. But i also completely understand how you feel and understand the breaks you’ve beeen taking and probably will continue to need to take ! I just hope that we can stop beating ourselves up over the unrealistic standards we hold ourselves to… 😭 ❤
Hi Katie! I can relate to how you feel and felt similarly after graduate school auditions. Thank you for sharing your story and your experiences. You are an inspiration for me and many others!
Glad to see you're back! I'm not in the same field as you, but I compleatly understand where you're coming from with burnout. I'm a teacher and sometimes I'll see my students get frustrated and I take in that energy. I love doing it but it gets really hard sometimes.
Getting burned out happens with me, and I understand that you just want to take a break from everything. I used to get to the point as a musician that I had to do something else to prevent from going crazy. When I went into composing, I thought that things in music would better not playing and then I had to deal with composer's block. You will do good and have a great Thanksgiving!
I’m so glad to see you back. I’m so curious if you got that silver flute you tried that one time that made you question if you might be a silver player. I’m hoping the holidays will bring you some rest and peace you need
You make a positive impact on so many flutists (me included). You are beautiful, inspirational, talented, the list goes on.... Just hang in there. 💌 From your subscriber in Penang, Malaysia.
I burned out when I was 17.. wasn’t even professional but wanted to be. I studied with Wendy Rolfe and Patricia Spencer. It felt insanely competitive here in NYC , my teachers encouraged competition and pushed to go to conservatory which also felt competitive and awful. I could never get my mojo back ever. I should have pushed myself to keep going but I couldn’t.
I’m so sorry for your disappointment. As an observer, I really do think you hold yourself to an impossibly high standard. In my opinion, you have a musicality and talent that is very unique to you. I would prefer to listen to you over any other player. I hope you can get to a place of acceptance about how amazing you are, regardless of any audition or accomplishment. You’re right, focus on the love of the music. So many of us go through this. I still have my yellow book and it made me smile when you said that.
Although I’m at a different stage in my flute journey, I have had a similar experience for the last few weeks. I’m a younger high school student and I recently have had a lot of musical opportunities happen. I volunteer in an elementary band class, my flute playing band teacher’s former college professor has offered to give me private lessons, and I’m in wind ensemble now. I’m incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities but there’s so many events happening daily that I sometimes feel like I’m going to explode! A flute recital here, a masterclass there, a concert, a recruitment, a solo. The thing is, I LOVE doing all of these things, but it’s hard to maintain my grades or even get any time to practice. And sometimes when I’m frantically practicing what I should have been practicing all week (but didn’t have time to) at midnight, I miss the times where I would just play from my heart, and I remember why I love music. It is ok to take a break when you are feeling burnt out. Actually, it’s necessary! 🩷“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. I’ve personally had to work on this, because I feel bad to say no to certain events. And thank you for being honest and sharing your experience. It helps a lot to know that other musicians have similar feelings. But I hope you know that God created you to be so beautiful, wonderful, and talented! I have watched your videos since I was very young, and I have always looked up to you. You’re one of my favorite flute players! You’ve got this!! I will keep you in my prayers Katie!!! (You’re the best) 🩷🩷🩷🎵🎵
Thank you all for your kind comments!! It truly means so much to me 💓💓💓
Hi Katie! I had posted on one of your previous videos that I won an orchestra audition for bassoon a couple years ago. This past summer I decided to take an audition for another symphony that is closer to home thinking it would be nice to have flexibility on what services to pick and choose from if I ended up winning. The orchestra was arguably "lower caliber" than my current orchestra given the service pay and size of the city, but I still practiced my butt off. I think I practiced even harder than I did for the audition I had previously won, but it was just "one of those days" come audition day and I ended up playing the worst audition of my life and not even advancing past the first round. In retrospect, I definitely burned myself out preparing for the audition and the feelings of shame afterwards were horrible. I could barely bring myself to practice and had to force myself to get ready for gigs. I'm so lucky how supportive my section mates are in my symphony...once the season started and I was making music again I was able to work past the feelings of failure from this past summer's audition. I hope music making during the holiday season will revitalize you and bring you joy. Your videos have always been inspiring for me even though we play different instruments.
As a musician, I completely understand this feeling. I went through something similar last March and afterwards I was so heartbroken and burnt out that I almost quit music entirely. It’s been 8 months, and I’ve decided to keep making music professionally but I am still not yet back at 100% and I am not going as full steam ahead as I had years prior. I think taking that step back to reevaluate where you’re at and where your heart is - especially with your love of music, is healthy and important ❤
This is super emotional to hear. It is something most of us have felt and I love that you are bringing light to this topic! Just recently I lost my love for playing and I took a well deserved break after pushing for an audition for 5 months straight. I just got back from my break since I found out I made it to state and when I went through my pieces I sounded 1000 times better! I have been so hard on myself and not accepting of my body telling me to take a break. Then when I wanted to, I couldn’t since I had district that week. I am just so thankful that you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to help other musicians that are or have experienced this.
Aww, I’m glad you’re back. I’m no professional by any means but I am finally in a place where I can play for me and your videos have always helped give me a little extra push.
Thank you Katie, your statement of ,”Why do I sound like this, it’s so out of tune… it’s so this.. it’s so that…” really resonated with me. You also mentioned how we tend to have higher expectations for ourselves compared to others which is very true. I agree we need to be kinder with ourselves and it makes me feel better that I am not the only one going through this, but can be a normal feeling, especially from an amazing professional flutist as yourself. I just want to say thank you Katie and to let you know, YOUR DOING GREAT!”.
I’m a music student right now! I’ve been so burnt out and tired and consistently feeling bad about my playing. Your videos inspire me and make me want to play! When I’m feeling unmotivated, I watch one of your videos and I feel less alone in this process of becoming the best flutists we can be. I try to remind myself that lulls in progress are normal. These negative feelings will pass and to show myself a little grace and patience. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable with us 💕
We all have been there and we absolutely understand the time you needed to take for yourself. It is always good to see you. I literally smiled when UA-cam recommended your video.
2 years ago, I made my mind to learn flute when I saw your Cecile Chaminade Concertino (Flute & Piano) video which is my ultimate goal. This coming December, one of my recital pieces is Sicilienne Faure.
I really enjoyed the quiet reflection going on the last third of your vlog. You tapped into something there without words. I got a lot from that.
Hi Katie! Thank you for sharing these difficult times with us; we all have them, these times when the pleasure in what we do has drained away. It sounds like you have found some ways to recapture those elusive feelings from the past, when music & life & everything else seemed to flow so easily. Hang in there, give Miguel a warm cuddle (or more celery!) and you will find your way. Because playing is not about perfection, it is a way of breathing your soul into sound. 🦋
This comment made me tear up. So well said.
Welcome Back Katie. As an artist in a different medium, I feel this in my soul. Being a professional creative is the ultimate act of vulnerability. When we tie our passion to our livelihood, it takes on an entirely different weight. Sometimes, we need those steps back to remember why we feel in love with the art in general. Glad you took the time for you and also glad you're back. You reinspired me to pick back up the flute over 20 years after putting it down. You reminded me of my why of why I loved the instrument so much. Glad you came back to yours!
You are a huge inspiration to me. I started learning flute when I turned 50. Your introductory video really helped me!!!
So happy to see your video! Thank you for sharing a bit about your life, it's always inspirational. Sending you good wishes! 😊
I am a very amateur flutist...I play in a community band. But I wanted to let you know that something you said resonated with me. About forgetting perfection and just enjoying the music. Even I, an amateur, have been feeling burned out, but that hit home. I've been too focused on perfection, and not enjoying the music. I'm going to make an effort to change that so I can enjoy it again.
Welcome back, Katie. Thank you for sharing this as I’m sure it’ll be of help and comfort to many. Glad you and Jeremías and the pup are all well!
I started watching your videos which feels like forever ago, at a time when I sort of rekindled my love for the flute. It has since been quite the journey, so I understand how you feel. While I have not taken the path I expected, I am very happy about where I’m at in life and wishing the same for you! For some reason your content, playing and personality just resonates with me a lot and I am looking forward to seeing more 😊
Katie, thank you so much for everything. You are not alone in feeling burnt out and I thank you for sharing because it makes me feel not alone in it. And I’m sure many others. But truly you have been such an inspiration. I’ve been watching you for years and even picked up my flute again and even had some gigs with it. I forgot how much I missed playing and improving myself as a musician. Your videos have not only inspired me but are truly my comfort videos. I can’t explain it you just ground me so much when I’m feeling overwhelmed or uninspired. So I thank you. I’m so happy to see you back and excited for the future. Love from, Colorado.
So glad you're posting videos again! It's so normal to want private time! You're inspiration for so many of us who have same struggles like you - selfcritisism, burning outs and desprare. I'm a singer and flutist and work as music editor - and it's so hard to push myself forward and not to leave some of it... Thank you for your stubborness and resiliant!
It's great to see you back again and I'm glad you were able to take some time off for yourself.
Thanks for sharing Katie! A lot of what you said during the chat resonated with what I've been working on in therapy. I wish you much self- compassion and grace. It's a hard thing to give ourselves sometimes. But it's great to have your vlogs back during the holidays ^-^ I also still have my yellow book! I pulled a couple of those for solos & ensembles in middle school and I still go back to it ever so often. Miguel looks like a whole gentleman now!
I appreciate your openness in this vlog! I think we can all relate to having thrown everything we had into trying for a certain outcome, and having our effort somehow fall short, and then having to recover and reset. Sorry to hear that some of your warm fuzzy feelings about music took a knock in the process, but you know the love is still there. It's good that you're using a nice fun project to get back to that. Thank you for sharing this with us.
So glad you're back!
Thank you for posting this. Being a musician is very hard and it is very competitive. Being a flutist is particularly competitive. I played a long time ago and wanted to be a musician. I ended up being a nurse instead, mostly because I didn't feel like I was good enough at the flute. I am playing again and getting some gain day by day. It is a reminder to me that everyone who plays music has their doubts and their bad days. I am sorry you are going through this, but this road will make you stronger and will lead you to an even more rewarding path down the road.
I'm a musician, but chose take a step back from pursuing it professionally because I knew that what you've been going through this year would make it so hard to consistently find joy in it. You're honestly my favorite flute player and actually inspired me to come back to the flute (it was my second instrument!) in my adulthood and I actually found joy in playing again! You're very *very* gifted and I'm excited to hear more of your playing!
Thank you so much for your vulnerability. They are feelings many of us share, and I applaud your courage in wanting to help others. 😊 I’m also feeling the pull to remember my early passion for music, and love that you are revisiting the yellow book! Such fond memories. Glad you are taking care of yourself - be well. 💕
Glad to see a new post, I was wondering how you were doing, but life can get chaotic and things happen. Burn out is definitely a rough thing to go through. Wish you all the best, and can't wait to see your new flute and piccolo.
It's nice to see you back Katie. Losing your mojo for whatever reason is always hard. I've been through it a few times for health reasons and my teacher has been brilliant at helping me find it again xx
Yay, you’re back, love watching your posts. Glad you shared, we all resonate to those feelings. Yass to 24 Short Concert Pieces, mine is old and beat up and I love it.
She’s backk! Your videos always motivate me to practice and become better ❤️❤️!!
Katie, I hope this message finds you well and strong. I want you to know that you are a role model for many people. Thank you for sharing so many experiences with us. Look... your videos go far... they fly... and they reach this small town (where I live) here in the north of Brazil, very close to the Amazon rainforest... May God always bless you and may you achieve your goals and much more. Hugs!
Hola @katieflute querida!!! Que lindo volver a encontrarte por aquí!!!!sería posible que actives el subtitulo en español...creo que nos paso a todos por lo que entendí en lo que contas, todos nos hemos tenido que enfrentar a perdernos para volver a encontrarnos porque siento también que era ese paso a la otra etapa...el volver con otras herramientas que uno recogió de ese "frenar" y el conectar desde otra perspectiva propia...te acompaño porque estoy en el mismo vagón de cambio 😊❤
Good to see you Katie from over the pond. Just glad to hear you are well. How amazing you are remember that so few people can do what you do. Remember to pat yourself on the back now and then for your achievements. See you when we see you.. ❤
I completely understand how you’re feeling. I’ve been going through so many changes in my playing and have been confused and over working myself just to get back to a place where I feel comfortable and the funny part is once I’m finally starting to sound decent again I’m losing motivation and am just getting burn out ( still feel like I don’t sound good enough). It can be hard to keep moving forward and do the things we need to do, especially when they’re something we used to look forward to doing. I’m glad you’re back and have been one of your BIGGEST fans ever since I’ve started playing the flute, I literally memorized the words to almost all of your vlogs lol. But i also completely understand how you feel and understand the breaks you’ve beeen taking and probably will continue to need to take ! I just hope that we can stop beating ourselves up over the unrealistic standards we hold ourselves to… 😭 ❤
So glad to “see” you again!
So glad you’re back. I can’t wait to hear about your new flute!!
So happy to see you pop up today! I battled a heavy dose of burn-out in my career (not music), and I took a big break. It's tough!
Hi Katie! I can relate to how you feel and felt similarly after graduate school auditions. Thank you for sharing your story and your experiences. You are an inspiration for me and many others!
Glad to see you're back! I'm not in the same field as you, but I compleatly understand where you're coming from with burnout. I'm a teacher and sometimes I'll see my students get frustrated and I take in that energy. I love doing it but it gets really hard sometimes.
this hits home so hard, I've been feeling all the same post-audition things, you're not alone
I understand everythings you said, sometimes is hard and it’s totally okay❤️❤️keep going!🎶💪🏻
I appreciate your vulnerability.
missed your videos so much! :')
was thinking recently that i would be cool to see a new vid from you to get me more motivation to practice hehe
I hope you are doing well. Take all the time you need and focus on you.
Flutist to flutist I support you and all of your endeavors
So glad that you're back! I just started taking lessons in September.
Always so happy to see a new video from you!
Getting burned out happens with me, and I understand that you just want to take a break from everything. I used to get to the point as a musician that I had to do something else to prevent from going crazy. When I went into composing, I thought that things in music would better not playing and then I had to deal with composer's block. You will do good and have a great Thanksgiving!
We are cheering you on! Thank you for sharing your journey ❤
Thank you for sharing your stories. I enjoy them tremendously and your music!
so happy to see your face :)
I'm so glad you're back! I've just got a new flute too.
Welcome back! ❤
I’m so glad to see you back. I’m so curious if you got that silver flute you tried that one time that made you question if you might be a silver player. I’m hoping the holidays will bring you some rest and peace you need
Sending hugs ❤
Thank you for sharing. Sending lots of good wishes to you.
You make a positive impact on so many flutists (me included). You are beautiful, inspirational, talented, the list goes on.... Just hang in there. 💌 From your subscriber in Penang, Malaysia.
missed you Katie! i like your natural hair color
I love you, Katie, and Jesus loves you so much and He is only a prayer away ❤ I am praying for you, you are doing an amazing job. Much love ❤ Jayne
I burned out when I was 17.. wasn’t even professional but wanted to be. I studied with Wendy Rolfe and Patricia Spencer. It felt insanely competitive here in NYC , my teachers encouraged competition and pushed to go to conservatory which also felt competitive and awful. I could never get my mojo back ever. I should have pushed myself to keep going but I couldn’t.
オーディション、お疲れ様でした😊
いつも心に音楽への愛を持って、情熱を込めて練習を頑張りたいと思います！
👍 👏
I was literally just thinking about you today!
❤
💖💖💖
I’m so sorry for your disappointment. As an observer, I really do think you hold yourself to an impossibly high standard. In my opinion, you have a musicality and talent that is very unique to you. I would prefer to listen to you over any other player. I hope you can get to a place of acceptance about how amazing you are, regardless of any audition or accomplishment. You’re right, focus on the love of the music. So many of us go through this. I still have my yellow book and it made me smile when you said that.
I miss your UA-cam videos
I definitely missed your videos. I went to the Met Opera last month. It crossed my mind to flag down your husband (?) and ask him if you were okay.
Although I’m at a different stage in my flute journey, I have had a similar experience for the last few weeks. I’m a younger high school student and I recently have had a lot of musical opportunities happen. I volunteer in an elementary band class, my flute playing band teacher’s former college professor has offered to give me private lessons, and I’m in wind ensemble now. I’m incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities but there’s so many events happening daily that I sometimes feel like I’m going to explode! A flute recital here, a masterclass there, a concert, a recruitment, a solo. The thing is, I LOVE doing all of these things, but it’s hard to maintain my grades or even get any time to practice. And sometimes when I’m frantically practicing what I should have been practicing all week (but didn’t have time to) at midnight, I miss the times where I would just play from my heart, and I remember why I love music. It is ok to take a break when you are feeling burnt out. Actually, it’s necessary! 🩷“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. I’ve personally had to work on this, because I feel bad to say no to certain events. And thank you for being honest and sharing your experience. It helps a lot to know that other musicians have similar feelings. But I hope you know that God created you to be so beautiful, wonderful, and talented! I have watched your videos since I was very young, and I have always looked up to you. You’re one of my favorite flute players! You’ve got this!! I will keep you in my prayers Katie!!! (You’re the best) 🩷🩷🩷🎵🎵
so lovely to see you back 😊