Hi Wendy,

Greetings from Jolly Ol' England! London is a great city—exposure to different cultures and nationalities, and most of all, exposure to great music and musicians! In the six months that I've been here, I've learned that the Royal Academy of Music is one of the most amazing music colleges I could have imagined to attend. Despite my homesickness, I love my course, my teachers, and my classmates!

I was very apprehensive about moving here—a new country, new customs, new course, and a new environment—but I quickly made some great friends from other nations. Many I met at the RAM (which accommodates 55 nationalities besides British!), but also in my dorm, The Newman House at the University of London. I've made friends from France, Germany, and Italy, who have even helped me write cover letters in those languages in order for me to apply for auditions in those regions. I have to admit that I do miss some things about the US, but I really enjoy learning about the culture here and explaining our customs to others.

The flute teachers here are of the highest caliber. My private teacher, Clare Southworth, has a big solo-performing career throughout Europe and Japan, and she's even won prizes in America! Although I've always seen myself as a chamber musician (I've had the chance this term to perform a rare piece by Schubert as well as Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire!) or an orchestral player, I'm beginning to see that there is great opportunity for a flutist to perform regularly and successfully as a soloist. I can honestly say that I've never had more performance opportunities! I've also been able to easily gain access to European orchestral auditions, which I was not easily able to do in the US (I've just returned from an audition in Brussels, Belgium!). It was a great learning experience and now I have a greater understanding of the audition process in Europe, as well as Europe's musical world.

I'm sure the contacts I've made here will also prove to be invaluable to my future career. In fact, because of the people that I have worked with on music projects here, I have been invited to perform in the Ashover Music festival in England in September--it should be a great experience! Because of my hectic schedule, I've also had to develop very keen time management, organizational, and critical thinking skills - not to mention good communication and interpersonal abilities, especially when conversing with people from other countries. But as Clare tells me, my exposure to this lifestyle is really preparing me for the life-style of a successful musician.

All my professors have really pushed me musically, but they've also inspired me to encourage and motivate others about music. My baroque flute teacher, Lisa Beznosiuk, has been an especially strong role-model for me, and I'm sure that later on I will use her teaching techniques in my own private teaching. Remember how I was interested in the Alexander Technique, but never had the chance to study it in the US? Well, I was finally able to take private lessons this year, and my sense of body awareness has greatly improved my playing; it also gives me another aspect of playing awareness to pass onto my students. In addition, my teacher certification course (the LRAM) has given me loads of knowledge and experience, so that after I graduate, I can go out into the world with the necessary skills to do just that—teach music and motivate others.

I've also been taking steps towards my career planning. I'm applying for a grant from the Deutsche Bank only for graduates of the Royal Academy, and because Clare is such a wonderful resource for preparing for competitions, I've already applied to two international competitions, and I hope to get ready for a third one this summer. This is not to mention the three internal competitions I'm doing at the Academy this term, plus another next term!

I really want to set a good example for your younger students now, and show them what kind of opportunities you could have in music if you work hard and apply yourself. I really believe that the program here has opened doors for me and given me some direction in my musical career. Since beginning my course, I've become strong and confident in my abilities and my future. I think the most important thing I've discovered in London is the value of hard work, mentors, friends, and family.

Talk to you soon,

Linds