Rachel Taylor Geier

Greetings and welcome to a new Flute Friday!

I have been participating in the Flute 360 Accelerator Group, hosted by the fabulous Heidi Kay Begay (check out her awesome Flute 360 Podcast series here: https://heidikaybegay.com/?fbclid=IwAR35nrhTjyDRPbNi-QobX7mdN4qEAP2W0hSH83RFvfZJlJTsfXvbOQJmbZ0 ). This has been a great opportunity to connect with flutists from all over the globe to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that we face as modern day flutists. The suggestion was made at our last group meeting to create a value list. What are the things that each of us bring to the table that help us stand out from other flutists? What makes us the darn tootin’ good flutists and flute teachers that we are? This struck me as a wonderful opportunity to confront one of the items on my “confessions of a struggling flutist” list from a week or so ago, which is that I often shrug off compliments instead of owning my own awesomeness. And everyone reading this should also own their awesomeness! No two flute players are alike. We all bring different talents and experiences to the table. In today’s blog, I offer my 40 value points to help inspire my readers to create their own value list. Wear it loud. Wear it proud! And always give yourself credit for your accomplishments. You’ve earned them!

40 Value Points

1. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance with a minor in Classics.
2. I have a Master’s degree in Flute Performance.
3. I have a DMA in Flute Performance with a emphasis in Historical Musicology.
4. I have been playing the flute for nearly 30 years!
5. I have been teaching flute lessons for 25 years.
6. I currently have a book contract with Oxford University Press.
7. I have a successful flute blog that connects me with flutists from around the world.
8. I publish monthly Flute Horoscopes in The Flute View Magazine.
9. I perform periodically with the Camellia City Flute Choir.
10. I am an active member of the Sacramento Flute Club.
11. I have served on the Board of the Sacramento Flute Club.
12. I will be hosting two Lightning Talks at the 2023 National Flute Association Convention in Phoenix on the Seven Learning Styles and Meridian Tapping Techniques.
13. I previously served as an Adjunct Flute Instructor at Oregon Coast Community College.
14. I have hosted flute masterclasses in California, Idaho, and Oregon.
15. I have published flute articles in The Flute View and Flute Talk Magazine.
16. I have been invited to be a guest artist at the Sandpoint Conservatory of Music.
17. I have served as a Flute Instructor for Kerr High School in Houston, Texas.
18. I have previously served as the Principal Flute of the Camellia Symphony Orchestra.
19. I have previously served as the co-Principal Flute of the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra.
20. I have hosted a workshop on Mozart’s flute concerti at the Canadian Flute Convention.
21. I have performed with the National Flute Association’s Professional Flute Choir for two previous conventions.
22. I have been accepted to give two presentations at the Hawaii International Convention on Music Education.
23. I taught elective and secondary flute lessons as a TA at the University of Minnesota.
24. I perform on a relatively new Burkhart flute.
25. My students regularly excel in school performing ensembles and outside competitions.
26. I was awarded the Berneking Fellowship to attend the University of Minnesota for my doctoral studies.
27. My previous applied instructors include Immanuel Davis, Linda Lukas, Anne Reynolds, and Rhonda Bradetich.
28. I have performed in masterclasses for Keith Underwood, Leone Buyse, Gary Schocker, Mario Caroli, ​Jean Ferrandis, Robert Stallman, and Pedro de Alcantara.
29. I have hosted music talks at regional conferences for the College Music Society.
30. I have presented at the College of Liberal Arts Graduate Student Symposium.
31. I served as a judge for the San Francisco Flute Society 2021 Virtual International Flute Competition, Junior Division.
32. I have served as a judge for the Sacramento Flute Club High School and Collegiate Scholarship Competition.
33. I have previously been contracted to teach a music course at Davis Arts Center.
34. I have served as a Flute Instructor at Watermelon Music in Davis, CA.
35. I have appeared as guest soloist with the Diablo Valley College Symphonic Band.
36. I have performed with the Folsom Symphony Orchestra.
37. I have performed with the Contra Costa Symphony Orchestra.
38. I am a regular Smart Music user and use Smart Music applications with my students.
39. I have served as a substitute flute with the Houston Civic Orchestra and Newport Symphony Orchestra.
40. I was the Gold Medal Winner of the 2015 Adult Solo Division at the MusicFest Northwest festival.

****

Now that I have compiled my list, it is your turn! What are your 40 value points? What makes you unique as an artist? What experiences have shaped your flute career? Please comment below!

Happy fluting!