My main focus on music has always been volunteering my time, playing for patients, staff, and young people at hospitals, schools, and other functions. It has always been my dream and objective to volunteer my time in the community I live in.

When I originally heard the music of the Native American flute, it captured my attention. The music had many qualities so I started doing research on the flute, musicians, and makers. Eventually I found a website that had a huge amount of information. INAFA (International Native American Flute Association), an organization founded by R. Carlos Nakai. In the links section I discovered Amon Olorin flutes, and flute maker Ken Light. In his website, I found Renaissance of the Native American flute, a one week workshop held in Helena, Montana at the Feathered Pipe Ranch. I booked a spot for myself and drove down to Helena. The workshop was taught by R. Carlos Nakai (a world renowned Native American flute musician), fluter maker Ken Light, and John Sarantos, who was an excellent teacher. I learned many things at the two workshops I went to, and met many good people.

I think one of the things that stands out from the first workshop is Nakai's talk with us, on our last day of the workshop. He said, "Don't honour me by playing my music honour me by creating and making your own music. You have it in you to make your own music. There are a lot of places for you to play your music; schools, hospitals, retirement homes." I saw the opportunity to volunteer, doing something I felt comfortable with, music. I found other workshops, like Northwest Flute Gathering, just west of Seattle. There, I took some instruction with musician Gary Stroutsos, who has also recorded many CDs, teaches, and performs. Another workshop I attended recently was a workshop called Healing with Music, taught by RuthiE Neilan, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ruthie is a registered nurse who works in a hospice and has incorporated the Native American flute into her work. I got many ideas from her workshop that I use in my time volunteering. To be in an environment with others whose goals were the same as mine was a huge learning experience. Also, being in and seeing Arizona in February, the coldest month in Alberta, really helped.

Earlier in my study with the flute I took some music lessons with Bill Damur, a music teacher at Alberta College. I learned a lot about notes, beats, tablature, and information about music in general. I've been lucky with the people I've met who are involved with the program I volunteer at, Friends of the University Hospital, Artists of the Wards. I've been able to work with and learn from other artists, musicians, poets, visual artists and writers. This is where I've been able to make some of my music. It's given me an opportunity to perform for small audiences and to speak to the public, which is something I needed to work on. It's opened doors for me; I've made many friends and I've learned many things.

I have over forty flutes in my collection. I've found that I can only play certain flutes at the hospital and those particular flutes have a certain quality which I'm studying. The voice of the flute makes a huge difference; the key it's in, the tone of the wood, and sometimes the flute maker. I use the low Es, Ds and Cs a lot. They have a huge impact on the listeners. The F# has its own effect in certain wards. It's very interesting playing music in a hospital. It has positive, relaxing qualities. It can put a person in a space they're comfortable in. It's something I'm still learning about. Over the course of this time I've been able to capture and create my own style of music. I've been able to record a CD which I hope will be enjoyed by music enthusiasts. I believe it's music for everyone.