Robin "White Deer in Autumn" Myers
Native American Flute music is in my blood. Born and raised a Native New Mexican, Native Flute music has permeated my life.
It is 1989, and I am perusing the artisan shops in Madrid New Mexico around Christmas. The smell of juniper and pinion fires burning in the kiva fireplaces, mingled with spiced apple cider and crisp mountain air fills my lungs. Amazing Native Flute music is permeating my senses and I distinctly remember that I only have $10 cash to my name, and it is in my pocket now. I ask about the music and the woman, noting interest, is all too happy to press a fresh cassette tape of Carlos Nakai "Canyon Trilogy" into my palm. As you can imagine, I bought that cassette, and proceeded to wear it out, and progress to multiple CD versions over the years.
Fast forward to 2002, December, Tucson Arizona. While traveling as a therapist for a marathon runner competing in the Tucson Marathon, I came upon an arts and crafts fair that made a walking district out of the old part of Tucson. This two-week event featured Native artists, as well as other fine crafts persons from around the world. My mission: find a Native American flute that I could play, and purchase it.
After trying unsuccessfully at vendor after vendor to find a flute that "fit" me, I came upon an intriguing booth that featured kinesthetically soothing flutes that were really easy to play. Reaching out, I touched these magical beings, drawing a walnut piece into my hands. As soon as I pressed my lips to it, a soothing, tangible sound emanated from its depths. It was mine. Love at first sound and touch.
You must know that I do not read music. I "feel" music, and play by ear. Therefore, I had no idea the key or quality of this flute. The only thing I knew for sure was that it felt fabulous in my hands, and it had a wonderful sound that I could create all by myself.
At that time in my professional career, I had a client who saw me on a regular basis named Jeffrey Welsh. Jeffrey is an avid musician, playing only the finest guitars, and other instruments. At the same time, the flute enchanted us both. I really do not remember which one of us was first to embrace its beauty and healing qualities and draw them into our own realities, but I do remember that it was Jeffery who found Twohawks, our teacher and ultimately, our friend. I was so thrilled to know that we had someone HERE in Baton Rouge who really 'knew' the flute and could teach its hidden gifts.
So it began, Fridays at Twohawk's became a regular event in my life, and my lessons expanded from Native Flute to other topics we both shared interest and understanding of. As things progressed, my healing practice included more and more of the precious sound healing attributes of flute music, and my friendship with Twohawk's deepened.
To date, thanks especially to the encouragement of Twohawks, Charlie Crow Dog (an amazing artist in his own right), and Jeffrey, I now play to audiences of many, as well as none. I also am sharing the flute internationally as well as locally. Crow Dog and I are also working with men in substance abuse recovery, utilizing the healing from our instruments of music to assist during these difficult times.
The Native Flute is a natural traveling companion of mine on any journey I take, whether to the mesas of Sedona, Az, or the tile bathrooms at the airport (seems the acoustics in the bathrooms gives an appealing canyon echo affect and playing in the airport seems to helps people relax during traveling… who knew!), and is a key component in my own personal healing journey.
