I took my first jazz flute solo over 'Chameleon' when I was 10 years old. I was in 5th grade and excited to play a new, fun kind of music in a special band setting. All I knew about jazz was that my favorite song was 'Birdland' because I heard it playing on the Weather Report CD my parents played through the living room speakers. I remember working, for what felt like forever on perfecting my hand-written solo. 

My small self worked hard to put together a melody. Once the teacher put the mic up to my flute I tried to play it from memory. I was nervous about playing it wrong, so I read the music. That was the last time I took a jazz flute solo until I was 20 years old. 

I auditioned for undergraduate music programs on flute. Every school I looked into listed the audition repertoire for flute as two pieces of contrasting styles. Under guidance I chose Mozart's 'Concerto in G Major' and 'Poem' by Charles Griffes (I always had a penchant for the "newer" stuff). Jazz or improvisation or commercial music was never a consideration by the institution audition options, my band director, or myself. Especially since in High School to actively participate in jazz band I played bari saxophone. Do flutes play jazz or improvise?

I attended university for a classical degree. Junior year I registered for jazz piano instead of classical flute lessons because the school didn’t have an option for a flutist to take contemporary/jazz instruction. I worked with the jazz instructor all semester and found the challenge and music I was always looking for. 

My second jazz flute solo was over Swingin’ Shepherd Blues. Though it may not have swung hard, I felt more accomplished in that performance than any other time I played music. I acknowledge that I could have, arguably should have, been more inquisitive and forward in taking hold of my own musicianship and education before I let 10 years pass. I didn’t believe there was any opportunity for me to succeed in jazz, or rock, or pop as a flutist.

But ever since that moment I’ve continued to seek out new musical experiences. In Nashville I realized that failing is what makes a better musician and what makes the music fun. I started my own band, founded a community organization, Nashville Women in Jazz, to connect women musicians with a love for performing jazz. There I found the opportunities I didn’t previously believe existed. What do you do with a flute degree?

I recognize where my education in music failed me. It kept me in this cycle of trying to find music I was allowed to play, rather than gaining the skills I needed to play the music I wanted to play.

What used to intimidate me now only inspires me. Danielle Sopchak is an artist, composer, woodwind doubler, and educator.