Lee Porche
I’ve always had an interest in music, and have dabbled in playing different instruments—or have at least attempted to play them. I started with piano as a child, then saxophone in junior high. Although I loved the instrument, the choice was made for me because my older brother had played sax in high school, and so we already had one at home.
Then about 20 years ago, a friend introduced me to Carlos Nakai, and I was in love. While her musical interest was New Age, mine included smooth jazz, classical, oldies, and modern Christian, but I found the Native American flute so haunting that it stayed with me throughout the day and night. It lingered in my dreams, where as a child I had often thought of myself as an Indian woman, with long braided hair, living with nature, as my Native American ancestors did. It made me think anew that I was born in the wrong era.
Anyway, I bought a few CDs, but knew nothing about the availability of Native American flutes. In fact, not too many years later, I bought an old silver flute at a pawnshop, and even paid for private lessons for a while. It was fun, but it wasn’t the same. But about five years ago I started riding a motorcycle, and started going to bike rallies. It was at a rally in Hot Springs, Arkansas a couple of years ago that I first saw a Native American flute, and was surprised that it was so affordable. Even so, for some reason, I wasn’t able to buy it at the time. But I thought about it all year, and returned the following September, knowing just where to go to find the shop, intending to buy a flute. Unfortunately, the flute seller had sold out and moved.
I finally started looking on the internet, but just had no idea what to look for. I found someone who seemed to be trustworthy. I exchanged several e-mails with him about what key I should start with, etc. He helped me to select a beginner flute that was very easy to play. It came with sheet music that I quickly became bored with, and it was when I was searching the web for more that I came across LANA Flute Circle. I was thrilled! The next meeting was only a couple of weeks away, and I couldn’t wait.
That was less than a year ago and I’ve only bought one more flute since then, one of Jeff Truax’s flutes, but I know it’s just a beginning. I love the music, the jam sessions, the people, and am looking forward to getting to know all the members much better. It feels like a new beginning—or a harkening back to an old dream.
