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Native Flute, World Flutes, Guitar, Banjo, Djembe, Water Drum, Frame Drum, Didjeridoo, Piano, Dulcimer, Aztec/Mayan Clay Whistles

R. Carlos Nakai: "R. Carlos Nakai (Navajo-Ute heritage) was my first native flute experience. I was introduced to his music by my mother, Demetra who would listen to his music around 5:30 A.M. on most Sunday mornings on the show Musical Echoes. She also had every cd of his at that time which I would hear throughout the day. I felt a strong connection to the music of the native flute. I went to a concert performed by Mr. Nakai and Peter Kater at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. He mentioned a lecture of native music taking place at the Old Town School of Folk Music the following night - I went. He mentioned a week long flute workshop in Montana - I went. 2009 marks my 15th summer attending the Renaissance of the Native American Flute Workshop (12 years as an instructor)."

Demetra (Mother): "My mother inspired me greatly by playing a variety of music throughout her lifetime. As a child, I remember the sounds of classical music and operas filling our house. At ninety-six, she discovered country western music, especially Willie Nelson. I soon found myself composing country western lyrics in my head while playing the flute. She also introduced me to the music of Loreena McKennitt. I love the passion with which Ms. McKennitt sings and plays her music and was impressed with the intertwining of the multi-cultural instruments."

David Martinka (Redbelly): "If I had to state one individual who has helped to keep me humble; who plays from the depth of his soul; who walks the Red Road everyday; and is full of compassion for the flute; that person would be David Martinka aka Redbelly. David has shown me that flute playing is more than just about the music. His friendship, music, and flutes have helped keep me focused on my flute journey."

Xavier Quijas Yxayotl:
"Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (Huichol heritage) is a master clay flute maker who's work is rooted in Mayan and Aztec clay flutes. Over the years we have become close friends. He has blessed me with over ten of his clay flutes and whistles which have taken me on some wonderful journeys; including through some of the public schools of New York City. His instruments create their own haunting songs as I just breath into them."

Hawk LittleJohn: "Hawk LittleJohn (Cherokee) was a flute maker and player. Through Hawk, I learned not to be an authority of the native flute, but instead, to just share the knowledge that has been shared with me by Native American Indians and non-Indians alike. Hawk told me he used to get a laugh out of non-Indian 'authorities' of the flute who tried to tell him how flutes were made even though they were incorrect. Hawk encouraged me to write songbooks and to play the flute because he felt it would help keep the songs alive and also help to heal Mother Earth. His love for making flutes was so strong that he told me when he could not sell flutes, he would give them away so he would have to make more."

Franc Menusan: "Franc Menusan (Muskogee Creek) has taught me the spiritual beauty of the flute and how it relates to all of creation. Franc has inspired me to continue on the road not only as a performer, but also as a teacher who needs to share my knowledge of the flute with others so they can experience its beauty and healing qualities."

"Tom Mauchahty-Ware (Kiowa-Comanche) and Doc Tate Nevaquaya (Comanche) are excellent representations of early native flute players who's music has guided me in my early beginnings. I have had the honor of also enjoying Kevin Locke (Lakota) several times in concerts over the past fifteen years. Besides being one of the main keepers of the native flute, Kevin is also an excellent hoop dancer. He was the first performer I saw promote world peace through his concerts. I give time in my performances and workshops to reflect on prayers songs for love ones and for the world."

Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull): "I saw Ian Anderson in concert as part of Jethro Tull in the early 1970's. I knew every note of his songs. I knew there was a note coming up, when suddenly he threw his flute way up into the air. I thought he was going to miss the note, but he nailed it in a split second. He is not only a fabulous musician, but a great entertainer which made me realize there is more to music than just playing notes. After the concert, I went out and bought a silver flute, only to be told I was tone deaf by one of my instructors."

Donovan: "I have more Donovan Leach cd's than any other performer. There is an innocence to some of his music and there is also a tremendous voice of protest. His songs tell stories which are told not only in the lyrics, but the collaboration of many different musical instruments blending subtly."

Smothers Brothers: "The Smothers Brothers were a great inspiration to me. They not only introduced me to folk songs, but helped me realize how important introductions to songs can be while performing. They showed me how working with a partner could be a lot of fun and how effective harmonization can be."

Woody Guthrie & Pete Seeger: "Listening to folk songs led me to the works of these masters. I was inspired by their words and music. Although the music I compose for the flute is played instrumentally, many of my songs have lyrics written for them."

Leonard Cohen: "If there is one musician who can emote the feelings of lost love, passion, hope, and spirituality just from listening to his music, it is Lenard Cohen. When I write songs of love, passion, or despair, I know I have been inspired by years of listening to Mr. Cohen."

Gary Stroutsos: "Of Italian-Greek descent, Gary Stroutsos was and is a tremendous inspiration to me. I have followed Gary's career from his days of playing jazz-styled music on native flutes, to his historical performance lectures, to producing compilations for the Narada label, to his current world music scene. From Gary, I have learned that eventually I had to make the native flute my own. I had to find my songs, my stories, and do them my way."

Fever Tree: "There was a group know as Fever Tree in the psychedelic 70's. I discovered them through a record club. I spent hours playing their albums over and over. They had a mixture of melodies from very soft to very complex. You could listen to their music at a low volume or crank it up loud for another whole new effect. I feel my music captures this quality."

Frank Zappa: I used to love listening to the music of Frank Zappa. I feel I got a lot of my inspirational freedom from listening to his songs."

Ennio Morricone: "One film/TV composer that inspired me most was the prolific Ennio Morricone. I have listened to his earlier work (any thing before the Untouchables), hours upon hours. His battle scores, his love themes, his western sound tracks, to his TV soundtracks. His use of voices, harmonicas, whistling, and intertwining of sounds paint an incredible texture of sound pictures. I play hard to incorporate the variety of sound textures that are waiting to be released within the native flute in order to paint my sound pictures."