09 June 2016

Teaching in Alabama, Texas and East Carolina Universities

Masterclasses & Recitals in Mississippi, Univ South Alabama, Texas Tech, UT Arlington and East Carolina

Viviana Guzman teaching masterclass at UTA

What an intense month January was! WOW!!! Actually since November, I’ve been booked solidly doing not only performances, but also university recitals, lectures and masterclasses. It’s really been riveting.

I started the month in Argentina with Elvy Rose and the adorable tango dancers I adore, Denisa and Victor. I was home for a few days before flying to Gulfport, Mississippi to play a concert with my quartet, Festival of 4. As usual, we got a standing ovation. As usual, Richard got on my nerves big time.

Viviana Guzman Masterclass at the University of South Alabama

Two flute students, Nicole Carrion and Rebecca Reinhardt came to pick me up from the hotel and took me to Mobile, Alabama where I gave a mini recital, taught a masterclass, taught a warm-up class, gave a Business of Music lecture, a Goal Setting seminar and took a celtic music class. This delightful class was taught by Dr. Andra Bohnet. It was so refreshing to see that this kind of course is offered at a university! Brava Dr. Bohnet! Andra and her husband Keith, graciously hosted me in their lovely home. Then I flew to Lubbock, Texas.

Viviana Guzman Masterclass at Texas Tech University

Another flute student picked me up, Gio and his partner Luis. They were so adorable and amazing to have picked me up at midnight! I had a great stay in my hotel as the room was spacious and had a great view. At Texas Tech I played a little, taught a master class, gave a Music Marketing lecture and judged a competition and really enjoyed getting to know Dr. Lisa Garner-Santa. What a warm and sensitive spirit!

UTA Flute Weekend 2016 with Viviana Guzman

The next morning, I promptly flew to Arlington, Texas to teach at the University of Texas at Arlington. I was excited to be performing the Jeff Tyzik‘s Dream Sequence with pianist Gabriel Sanchez. Terri Sanchez came to pick me up at the airport and she took me straight to her office. Again, I was super busy rehearsing, teaching a masterclass, giving the Music Marketing Lecture, listening to her beautiful recital. Her student Carmen, took me to the hotel, the Sanford House which was an exquisite, Victorian style bed and breakfast. I shrieked when I saw the room. I immediately contacted my husband, Steve, to share my beautiful room with him via FaceTime.

ECU Flute Symposium with Guest Artist, Viviana Guzman

Then at 7am the next morning, Stephanie Kalina and Alba came to pick me up. I practiced the Tyzik from 7:30am to 8:30am. At 9am I had to teach a private lesson with the beautiful and talented, Monique Sanford, and her sweet high school bandmates. At 10am was the flute studio play, The Princess and the Dragon by Terri Sanchez and her students…. was such a treat!!! So creative, so much FUN! I had another rehearsal with the Tyzik with Gabriel Sanchez at 11am to 1pm followed by a 1:15pm rehearsal with the flute choir as I was playing the Dance of the Blessed Spirits as a soloist. 2:30pm was the concert, then came Terri’s trio concert and my recital was at 4:30pm. Whew! We celebrated by going out for Indian food. I have always adored Terri Sanchez’ artistry and friendship and felt so grateful that she invited me to play for her UTA Flute Weekend.

I didn’t want the next morning to end. I wanted to bask in the thrill of the weekend and savor every moment. It was a beautiful spring day in Dallas, with perfect temperatures, and clear blue skies. I absolutely loved the hotel. The breakfast was perfect. I took a bath. I couldn’t get over how many people the night before were so moved by different aspect sof my recital. I love feeling that I have deeply moved someone. It is these moments that I cherish so much. I was taking in all the glory I had felt the night before. I got a standing ovation and when I walked into the green room, I was greeted with fierce applause. It was unreal, I was in heaven. I never wanted it to end!

ECU Flute Symposium 2016

Fast forward a month, and I found myself at the East Carolina Flute Symposium hosted by the ever so lovely and generous Christine Gustafson. Two of her students came to pick me up at the closest airport which was 1.5 hours away. I taught a masterclass and gave a recital and got caught up with Christine who I have known since we attended the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, studying with the beautiful, Carol Wincenc, oh-so-many summers ago. What a wonderful community we are as flutists! I feel so grateful for all these fabulous colleagues who host me in their flute events. Thank you ever so much!