How DeShaun Gets His Flute Back
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Hi! My name is DeShaun Gordon-King. I'm from East St. Louis, IL and I'm a flutist. I am an alumnus of Duke University (c/o 2014) and recent graduate of New York University ('17) earning degrees in music (BA) and flute performance (MM). I am aspiring to get my Doctorate of Musical Arts in flute performance and pedagogy as well as continuing to diversify the field of classical music. My dreams came to a screeching halt because my flute was stolen this past summer and I need your help to secure a new professional flute.
Over the past few years, my life has taken amazing turns and I have been blessed. I studied with some of the greatest teachers in the world, started a small private studio, commissioned new works for the flute and performed in Austria alongside musical powerhouses; however, this past summer was trying. While I was preparing for my NYC debut concert, my flute went missing! Although a police report was filed, nothing came of it and I was without a flute. Thanks to a friend of mine, I was able to successfully deliver my debut concert.
*a clip from my debut recital "New Things"
Since then I've made an emotionally and financially difficult move from New York to Durham having to borrow flutes of friends. While borrowing flutes has helped me to further establish the foundation of my career, it is impossible to expand upon that scaffolding without my own professional flute.
In Durham, the work that I do helps to spread the love of music. I am the program assistant and a teaching artist with KidzNotes where I instruct a flute quartet. This year was the inaugural year for the North Carolina Youth Wind Ensemble for which I serve as ensemble manager and flute section coach. And I also work with BUMP: The Triangle where I perform bi-weekly salon concerts for residents at a nursing home. The joy and boost in confidence that I see on the faces of my students when they nail difficult passages, or when I hear the Rose Manor residents humming along to hymns and carols when they are otherwise silent are reminders of the importance of music and why I dedicated my life to this field.
2018 is providing wonderful opportunities to advance my career, and with your help, I can secure a flute to ensure I take advantage of these opportunities. I have three upcoming solo performances. I will perform for the Friends of Flutes Foundation, be featured with the Duke University Wind Symphony, and be featured with the North Carolina School of Science and Math. The Astral Artists management group will be hosting auditions for new members to add to their rosters, which I have high hopes to join. And next fall I will be submitting my doctorate applications and audition videos.
Securing a new professional flute would help make 2018 a year of realizing goals and crystallizing dreams. Your help in this process is invaluable and something for which I can't thank you enough. I hope that you are able to assist. God bless!
Over the past few years, my life has taken amazing turns and I have been blessed. I studied with some of the greatest teachers in the world, started a small private studio, commissioned new works for the flute and performed in Austria alongside musical powerhouses; however, this past summer was trying. While I was preparing for my NYC debut concert, my flute went missing! Although a police report was filed, nothing came of it and I was without a flute. Thanks to a friend of mine, I was able to successfully deliver my debut concert.
*a clip from my debut recital "New Things"
Since then I've made an emotionally and financially difficult move from New York to Durham having to borrow flutes of friends. While borrowing flutes has helped me to further establish the foundation of my career, it is impossible to expand upon that scaffolding without my own professional flute.
In Durham, the work that I do helps to spread the love of music. I am the program assistant and a teaching artist with KidzNotes where I instruct a flute quartet. This year was the inaugural year for the North Carolina Youth Wind Ensemble for which I serve as ensemble manager and flute section coach. And I also work with BUMP: The Triangle where I perform bi-weekly salon concerts for residents at a nursing home. The joy and boost in confidence that I see on the faces of my students when they nail difficult passages, or when I hear the Rose Manor residents humming along to hymns and carols when they are otherwise silent are reminders of the importance of music and why I dedicated my life to this field.
2018 is providing wonderful opportunities to advance my career, and with your help, I can secure a flute to ensure I take advantage of these opportunities. I have three upcoming solo performances. I will perform for the Friends of Flutes Foundation, be featured with the Duke University Wind Symphony, and be featured with the North Carolina School of Science and Math. The Astral Artists management group will be hosting auditions for new members to add to their rosters, which I have high hopes to join. And next fall I will be submitting my doctorate applications and audition videos.
Securing a new professional flute would help make 2018 a year of realizing goals and crystallizing dreams. Your help in this process is invaluable and something for which I can't thank you enough. I hope that you are able to assist. God bless!
Organizer
DeShaun GK
Organizer
Durham, NC
