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Trailblazing and Discovery: Highlights from the 2026 NFA Convention in Portland

From August 6–9, 2026, the NFA community gathered in Portland, Oregon, for this year’s convention:…

“Cady” Cameron plays the flute on the International Space Station in 2011. Courtesy NASA.
The Flute: Beloved of Amateurs

The flute has been a favorite instrument of avocational musicians in the US for centuries,…

Mary Oleskiewicz and ensemble at Sanssouci.
Mary Oleskiewicz: A Life with Quantz and the Flute

Every musician who performs music of the past must sometimes dream of playing in a…

Amanda Harberg’s Piccolo Imagination

Amanda Harberg is an American composer and educator whose music has been performed by musicians…

Beryl Rubinstein and the Lost Flute Concerto: Recovering a Forgotten Chapter of American Musical History

Beryl Rubinstein (1898–1952) is not yet a widely recognized name, but his accomplishments place him…

Gate photo by Dave McDermott
Gateway to Sequenza: Thom David Mason’s Thoughts for Solo Flute

Luciano Berio’s Sequenza I is a rite of passage work, inspiring countless composers to respond…

By Rohit Choudhari
Working Wellness into the Classroom

This past summer I interviewed flutist, body mapping educator, and licensed massage therapist Kelly Mollnow…

Image by Andre Taissin
Beyond the Starving Artist: 4 Financial Lessons for Flutists

It’s something that we’ve all thought, felt, or said at some point during our music…

Manhattanhenge by Karissa Krenz
Experiencing Art Together

I began this week listening to actor Andrew Garfield being interviewed by Chris Hawkins on…

Hug by Caleb Oquendo
Warmth. Connection. Joy. Inspiration. Belonging.

Warmth. Connection. Joy. Inspiration. Belonging. These were words that kept coming up for me throughout…

Flute playing by brendageisse-music-3090204_1920
Playing for the Joy of It

Amateur. Non-professional. Flute enthusiasts, Avocational flutists. We have many names for the community of flutists…

By Jean Paul Wright
Four NFA Pedagogy Committee Members Share Their Favorite Teaching Resources and Wisdom

Where does one start when looking for ideal teaching resources? As the possibilities can be…