Coach and Be Coached

The more I teach the more I realize I need to be taught. So I've hired the help of ASO's very own principal flutist, Christina Smith, and boy what a change! She's corrected some things that I have feared were going quite south. And thanks to her help my tone has already improved over the last two lessons. I can only hope she can do the same for my articulation and technique. I'm pretty sure she can. Anywho, I am certain that she will get me in shape for the journey ahead.

As for getting in shape, I've also hired a personal trainer. And he is kicking my butt. Really? I am paying for this abuse? Well I'm sure I'll see a big pay off soon. I am sleeping a whole lot better at night.

As for coaching, Friday I got to live a little bit of the life I wish was everyday. I got to go to North Georgia College and State University for the North Georgia Guitar Summit and teach a composition masterclass as well as give a duoATL concert. What a blast! The students were good sports and it was just alot more fun than I ever anticipated. If only this is what it was like everyday. It certainly wet my appetite to keep on truckin!

Tiny Signs

I've started teaching flute. It's something I said I wouldn't do again, but I guess you should never say never. I've had many tiny signs thrown up at me saying its time to make some kind of leap into music land for a long time, but over the past couple of months the tiny signs have turned into big Las Vegas style neon lights that I can't ignore any longer. So I started teaching, and I have actually enjoyed all of it so far. I hope I can get more students and do this more often.

I've had a pretty cush job in web design, but after a long day of designing, coding, tackling problems that I rather not tackle, unfamiliar corporate rules, I just feel better after hanging out with a student teaching them all the cool things they can do on a flute and all the different music we get to play. Its really helped me find an enthusiasm for music again. I hope it continues. So my goals have changed...at least the time frame. Things are going to be sped up, they have to. I'm obviously more happy as a musician, that's my calling.

This weekend

This weekend was a great weekend...and I hope one day that will be my every day life. Teaching lessons, dress rehearsal, and performing makes for a great "work" day.

The only thing I had to complain about (I know there's always something), was that there wasn't a large turnout. But the people that did come to the concert were people who really love the type of music we play and were warm enough to drop by afterwards to say they enjoyed the concert.

It was great to also play Brian C's music. A little nerve wracking to play with the composer present, even though he is my fiance and the most encouraging upbeat person I've ever met. It's still a little intimidating to know there is someone in the audience who knows every note.

The near future has some exciting things going on personally and professionally, and I am looking forward to embracing the changes.

Up and Coming

It's been a while since I've posted an update, but since concert season is about to rev back up I thought I would catch you up and let you know what lies ahead.

First off, I just signed a contract with New Atlanta Conservatory as flute/composition/theory teacher. They've also asked I start a Digital Media/Animation class for their art department and a student flute ensemble.

I have a few concerts lined up over the next couple of months at Agnes Scott College, Georgia Perimeter College, and even a concert/masterclass with duoATL at the Guitar Summit held at North Georgia College. But stay tuned because a past concert of duoATL is also airing on WABE's (an NPR station) Atlanta Music Scene in the coming months.

Lastly there is some negotiating in the works to have a couple of my pieces played in the coming year by New Atlanta Philharmonic. And that should be some outstanding performances!

And that's it, well besides planning a wedding by June. Plenty of time, right Brian? (Don't even get me started on his impossible schedule).

Catching Up

Long time no blog, but I have a million great excuses and lots of fantastic news.

Let's start with the biggest and best first. I am getting married in June 2009. I am marrying another composer, classical guitar being his instrument of choice. When you get a chance check out his website with his fabulous music: www.nobridantes.com.

Next up, I was awarded composer of the year by the Atlanta Pen Women. It was a nice surprise and got me anxious to write some more.

Then I had a flute/guitar piece premiered and professionally recorded at Allgood Productions. duoATL performed/recorded and we had a fantastic experience with an equally satisfying recording. Check it out: Mangosteen

I also got to sub for the second flute in the New Atlanta Philharmonic. Good times, excellent orchestra, I hope I get to do it again.

I've also been doin a bit of running. I ran my first 10K this past weekend. Not my best time, but the Peachtree Road Race is pretty fun.

So no bad news (fingers crossed). Works fine, life's great, looks like smooth sailing.

Mangosteen premieres tommorrow!

Tomorrow (Sunday 4/6) at 3pm at Agnes Scott College's MacLean Auditorium,my work for flute and guitar "Mangosteen" will be premiered on the Bella Musica concert by duoATL: http://www.nikkinotes.com/BellaMusicaProgram.pdf
This event is co-sponsored by the Georgia Committee of The National Museum of Women in the Arts of Washington DC.

Call 404-471-6430 for free tickets, or show up early to snag one!

http://www.agnesscott.edu/admission/undergraduate/visit/maps_directions.aspx

duoATL concert this Saturday (3/8)

duoATL is in concert this Saturday (3/8) at 7pm at the Douglasville Cultural Arts Center in Douglasville, GA.

Cost of tickets are $12 and there's even a reception afterward! Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended (770.949.2787).

Address: The Cultural Arts Center

8652 Campbellton Street in historic Douglasville, Georgia

Exit #36 north off of I-20

http://www.artsdouglas.org/

We will be performing works by Rodrigo, Yague, Pipo, Hoover, Piazzolla, and much more!

More concerts in April at Agnes Scott College and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

Composer of the Year 2008?

As odd and out of the blue as it seems, in May I will be awarded the Atlanta Pen Women award as Composer of the Year for 2008. They are an organization whose aim is to promote literacy, educational, and charitable activities in all three disciplines of music, art, literature. Their local website is www.atlantapenwomen.org I'm looking foward to meeting the organization in May, and hope to meet some outstanding artist, writers, and musicians from Atlanta.

Society of Composers National Conference

Well I'm in for a pretty busy week, and I have to say my day job is really starting to cramp my style. Wednesday night at 7:30pm I will be performing a piece with neoPhonia at Georgia State University at the National Conference for the Society of Composers. I will also be performing a piece Friday night at 8pm with Bent Frequency at Georgia State for the same conference. I am uncertain whether or not you have to be a memeber of the Society of Composers to get into the conference concerts, details to come.

On Tuesday early morning I will be performing with Mercury Season at the Walker School for a private concert for the student body.

duoATL is not on any break either. We have a few more concerts coming up shortly. Its really packed in between now and April! Hopefully I'll start well and sane.

duoATL on WUGA

Catch me on WUGA this Friday (2/8) at 4pm EST! duoATL has been asked to
perform and talk a little about ourselves. The program is 1 hour long
and so far it looks like we have the whole program to ourselves. You
can catch us online at http://www.wuga.org for those of you outside of
the Athens, GA listening area.

Vote for Toby!

Atlanta Pet Rescue get $1 a vote for each Toby vote!
http://www.atlantapetrescue.org/FiredogContest.htm

Coalesensce

I got the mp3's from the Mercury Season concert last month. And Coalesensce was performed as a flute quartet since we didn't have two violins I had to pretend to be one. And I gotta say it came off pretty well. I may even like Movement I. Coagulation better with a flute. I'm still undecided on Discombobulation, listen for yourself(the concert was at a bar we rented out, so that's why all the extra noise:
http://www.nikkinotes.com/music.html

I also got to play Blackbird as arranged by Erik Kofoed: http://www.nikkinotes.com/flute.html

Also on a side note, a couple tracks I wrote for Flashkit has been getting alot of use on games:
http://www.behindthepulse.com/trucktown/kidspage.php (Click on Road Ride)
http://kids.ambrasoft.nl/letterdoolhof2.swf
http://www.dragonsauce.com/formatives/fruit_crush/index.html

Hope all is well and I will keep you posted with upcoming concerts and even some radio shows!

2008 Year of Completion

So like most people I didn't get to do all my resolutions last year. Here's my resolutions from 2007:

1. Give more: Somewhat. In ways I did in others I didn't, maybe this year I can continue giving.
2. Write it and record it: I did start writing lots of stuff, I didn't finish. I did finally get the first movement of Coalescense recorded, so this was half way fulfilled.
3. Schedule more concert dates for 2008 for duoATL: Oh yeah, this did happen. So I can check this off my list.
4. Drop a dress size: I did do this. And I think I may be on my way to high school weight. I ran my first race and beat a coworker. I certainly have more energy and I do feel better about myself.
5. Be more "outdoorsy": I did not camp this year, or go white water rafting, with Jesse getting cancer earlier this year I just didn't want to leave him behind for a minute knowing we only had a little time left together. I don't know if being "outdoorsy" is that important to me this year, but being more green is.
6. Clean house. Mentally and literally: I did get some junk cleared out of the house, and I did grab the bull by the horns on all the emotional junk that's been floating around. I think I can whole heartily check this off my list.
7. Conquer my fears: I never got to the rock wall. Coordinating friends has been a challenge, maybe something I'll do on my own. But I did travel to New York on my own. I always wanted to go but I had a certain fear about doin it on my own. I went, I had a blast, I went by myself for a week and even went to the top of the Empire State Building. I think this is the best thing I ever did by myself. I no longer have any insecurites about going out on my own.

So last year was a year of change. I said good bye to a long term boyfriend and an even more heartbreaking good bye to my dog and best friend, Jesse, who fought the good fight with prostate and lung cancer but after 3 months of chemo I had to let him go.It was a tough decision and I was glad I could be there for him like he had been there for me through the good and tough times.

But during the summer things took a happier turn. I met a wonderful, musical, intelligent, and caring person who loves me and I found a doggie who needed me as much as I needed him. I hate to sound like a cliche but things do happen for a reason, and when things get bad eventually they will get better. They certainly have for me. So now that my personal and professional life seem to be in a good groover (hard to believe) I can finally make some headway. So here's to 2008, the year of completion. I will get things done by golly!


1. Finish a composition! Now I know this has to happen because duoATL is scheduled to perform it by April. So I am gonna knock this out this month if it kills me!
2. Finish my website! My current one is four years old which is pretty embarrassing for a web designer. I got it started, I am happy with the direction, now I just need to finish it!
3. Do new things! I found out last year that doing things out of my comfort zone have paid off for memorable experiences I would never trade for the world. I don't know specifically what that will be...I hear the rock wall calling my name.
4. Take a risk! I'm tired of playing it safe. I need to start putting it out on the line if I want to make things happen. I want to be a musician full time. That's my dream. I don't want to regret not trying whole heartily. Now I just got to figure out what that means to me.
5. Don't forget others! I do have the tendency to be introspective and forget about others who may need help. People help me out all the time. I hope I can find a way to something to help other who may need a helping hand in a pinch.

So there it is in black and white on cyber space. Putting it out on the line, setting goals.