A sincere and heart felt thank you from Erik, for those customers helping with his project with children who were once at a garbage dump more in....
Flutemaker Ministries Erik's Music
Buy a song from Erik and help the
Kids of Cascabel
The Nine Feathers Kauri Flute sold for $4,000. The funds were used to buy the Kids of Cascabel a refrigerator, a stove, a large propane gas tank and helped to build the bridge to the home. The flute now lives in Michigan and will be used to help others including the Kids of Cascabel. The new owner, Jaquelyn Collins has discussed with me her passion to see the flute continue to be a blessing. She foresees the flute playing in gatherings, elderly homes, concerts and recordings being made to be sold to help the poor everywhere.
Flutemaker Ministries thanks Jaque and the 9 Feathers builders of the 9 Feathers Kauri Flute for their blessing to the Kids of Cascabel.
It was an honor to have this flute in my hands and in my heart.
One of the most unique flutes in the world
First, there was wood….. And what a marvelous piece of wood it was.
Kauri Wood: This Ancient and rare Kauri wood burl, attained from Robert Teisberg of Ancientwood Ltd, is a wood that was preserved in a New Zealand bog. The wood is around 45,000 to 50,000 years old and has been given a chance of life, once again! Some of the trees were 40 feet wide and perhaps 2,500 years old when they fell from a catastrophic event where they remained in tact.
Some Kauri trees were 40 feet wide
Then, there was the Flute…..
To the piece of wood, from the hands of masters, a voice was given…..a spirit.
Below are photos and stories of the people who were involved in making the Nine Feathers Flute.
Most of these people have never met each other. They come from VERY different backgrounds and live in all parts of the country. It would be hard to find a more diverse group.
Yet they all had two things in common. They all have individual talents that went into the making of the Nine Feathers Flute. And more importantly, they all participated for the right reason – to help raise money for charity! Certainly, it has to make a person feel good to know that there are many ‘good’ people out there in this fast-paced world. That “spirit” has been imparted into the Nine Feathers Flute.
There are eight Flute Makers that took part in this project. Eight Feathers.
We were then honored to have Native American Recording Star, Ronald Roybal, compose and record a special song that was played on this special flute. He became the Ninth Feather.
And the most important Feather is you, the purchaser of this Nine Feathers Flute.
You are number one…..you are the First Feather.
The circle is complete………………………...
Greg Jones (Donator of Wood)
Greg is a retired railroad conductor.
He’s been a Hang glider pilot; a skydiver; BASE jumper; an avid fly fisherman and fly-tyer; a martial arts Master with two published books; and holds the Guinness World record for the highest bungee jump in the world (12,000 ft. affixed to another skydiver).
He’s been a freefall video/photographer for many years and called his business “Wingshadow”. This name was chosen for his signature act of briefly painting the jumpers and customers with his shadow in freefall, and under canopy with his own parachute. He now calls his flute venture “Wingshadow”. He says, “I extended the name to flute making, because we all stand in the shadow of someone else’s wings; the people who had greatest influence in our lives, the people who taught us our greatest lessons, and the people who loom largest in our hearts.”
He says, “The flutes are the living shadows of the flute makers themselves. Though they appear to be inanimate, dead objects, we breathe life into them and tap out the heartbeats with out fingers, guided by a common spirit.” “So, in essence, the flute itself becomes a vocal shadow of our own soul.”
Greg’s flute journey began when he wanted to make a flute for his grandkids, and became enthralled by the instrument and the music for himself. He continues to express his passion through the making of unique flutes.
Michael Wamego (Routerer)
My name is Michael Wamego and at the age of five I was taught by my Great-Grandfather and my Grandfather how to make a traditional Native American flute. I retired after 30 years between the US Navy and other government agencies in service of this Great Nation, after which I found my interest in wanting to create the Native American Flute rekindled and began searching the Internet and other avenues to find instruction that was as the way that my Grandfathers had taught me so long ago and thanks to ki-e-ta (Keith Stanford) for writing his Manual of Native American Flute making, I found the instruction in it’s pages that I remembered and have now created over 200 beautiful flutes.
I am an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, a member in good standing of the INAFA (International Native American Flute Association), current president of Twin Diamond Native American Flute Circle , and I also now teach Native American Flute making at Woodcraft in Boise , ID.
The Native American Flute is not only a beautiful instrument to see and hear, but also is a very spiritual instrument that carries with it a part of each of it’s creators as well as the rekindled spirit of tree that it once was. It not only touches the auditory senses of those who hear it, but also touches the heart, spirit and soul of all who hear its beautiful voice.
Bob Runningbear Egner (Sound-holes maker)
My Name is Bob Runningbear Egner and being of Cherokee heritage I have always had a fascination for the Native American Flute. Each time I would go to a pow-wow I would listen to the haunting music and wish that some day I could come up with the funds to buy one. That day came 4 years ago at the Trail Of Tears pow-wow in my home town of Hopkinsville , Kentucky . I bought one and took the flute home. For 2 months I drove the wife mad trying to play that flute. I took that flute everywhere I went. I was fishing one day on Barkley Lake with my wife Juanita, not saying to much (I was thinking about the flute) and out of now where I told my wife "I think I can make a Native American Flute”! She looked at my like I was nuts. I went home and I dissected that flute from one end to the other and then I started to try and make a flute and another and another I ended up with lots of fire wood. I didn't have a tuner and even if I had owned one I didn't know the first thing about tuning the flute. Then one day while searching the Internet I found Keith Stanford's web site and saw he had written a book on flute making called the ki-e-ta Basic Flute Making Manual. I ordered the book. That was 3 years ago and I am now making flutes I can be proud of. And I am even more proud that Keith feels I was good enough that he ask me to participate in the making of this Nine Feathers Flute, as it is called. I did the glue up and cut the TSH and the SAC exit hole. This special flute was made by 9 different flute makers and I am proud to have been one of them.
Keith Stanford (Spokeshaver)
I am married to a beautiful woman, and have been blessed with a son and two daughters. I have been so lucky to have lived in the Land of the Apache for over 50 years. The mountains and deserts of this wonderful place – Arizona - are my friends. I draw strength from them. My journey along the path of the Native American Flute began with an interest in learning how to play it. Then it evolved into learning how to make them. And now, it is my wish to give back. And I do that through my writings on the construction of the Native American Flute. Many folks shared their knowledge by teaching me how to play and how to make Native American Flutes. Now I have made it my focus to share my knowledge with others. I will continue to learn. I will continue to teach. I have a long way to go!
Ed Pendrys (Pyrographer)
I live in the White Mountains of Arizona. Pyrography (wood burning) is a hobby. The concept of having a number of Native American Flute makers/artists contribute to a single flute making project was a fascinating idea. The challenge was to determine what I could add to this effort and somehow capture the essence of what this flute will represent. After contemplating and waiting for a sign, a thought came to mind. Nine artists, a feather honoring each one, thus the " Nine Feathers Flute". Nine feathers to represent the spirit in which this flute will be offered.
Brad Young (Tuner & Fetish-block)
My name is Brad Young, of Four Wind Flutes. I have been crafting Native Style Flutes since 1999 and I have had great teachers along the way. The flute is a spiritual and healing instrument and it was an honor to work on this project with several other talented flute makers. I have always heard the voice of the flute even from a young age and it’s a great point of balance in my life, both the making and playing. I work full time as a Deputy Sheriff, K-9 Officer, and have trained Police Dogs since 1975. I am also a retired Military Working Dog Handler. I have been blessed to have met so many great people on this journey. I also share the flute with anybody who will listen, schools, live performances, and spiritual gatherings. I am thankful for the chance to work on this project... Many Blessings on your path...
Bob Stenger
(Finisher)
I am called White Buffalo Heart, and I am a Retired Aircraft Mechanic. When I first heard the mystical sound of the Native American flute in the spring of 2003, it stopped me dead in my tracks!!!! Fascinated with the mystical sound, I was drawn to the Native American Culture like a moth to a flame. I was adopted by the Lenape { Delaware } tribe by the Elders and given the name White Buffalo Heart by the Clan Mothers. The Indian village I belong to is called the People of the Forest . I was elected by the Clan Mothers to represent our village as Peace Chief. My primary interest was in the flute, Wind Walker the flute player recognizing my great interest in the flute loaned me a flute to play. One summer evening while sitting on the porch playing, I set the flute on my lap taking a break. I looked at the flute, and the look became a stare, the stare became a meditation, Suddenly I and the flute became one. I do not know how long I was in this meditative state, all at once I said out loud "I can make these”. When I told my wife { Phyllis } I was going to make a Native American Flute she replied "how can you make a flute? You know nothing about music and you are tone deaf"!!!! To help me on my journey of flute making was: Keith ‘ki-e-ta’ Stanford, Val ‘Hawkeyes’ Kobrin, and others. I have played at Children’s Hospitals, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church groups, Homes for the Elderly, Grade Schools, Weddings, Funerals, and Pow Wows. Also, I am a story teller, telling traditional Native American stories, and I get great pleasure sharing these stories with the children. I have made a story telling CD. I have been told by some that story telling has become part of their children's bedtime procedure. This always makes me smile inside and out.
Val Kobrin (Bag-maker)
Hello, my name is Val Jason Kobrin. I grew up in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State . There I met a lovely lady and then moved to a small town in Pennsylvania . Twenty years later that lovely lady is my wife and we have two sons. Flute making is not my profession. It’s a fantastic hobby that reaches my soul. When each and every flute is finished and played for the first time, I have been often asked, “How did you get into making flutes?” I have the highest respect for Native American culture and enjoy flute music. Having a carpentry and woodworking background, I decided to try my hand at it. People saw me with a flute asked me where I can get one. I offered to make one and it rolled on from there. I learned different ways and styles and combined what worked with the help of my friends.
As I mentioned previously, flute making is not my profession. It is sort of a labor of love. Each flute has a different story to me. There is not much money made making a flute if you actually calculated the hours of time spent making one.
Before any flutes leave my care, they are played. I check for imperfection in sound. Quality of sound and feel of flutes are important to me. If I am not happy, the flute goes into the scrap box. I am very picky and will only deliver a quality flute. The sounds from my flutes will please your ears and soul.
I also make many other Native American items, as I have a lot of respect for them. I continue to try to grow my knowledge and try new things. One of those, is the Flute Bag that I made to protect this wonderful Nine Feathers Flute. I hope you enjoy it.
Ronald Roybal (Maker-of-Music)
Ronald Roybal (Hwan-Pi-Khaw ... Red Tailed Hawk Song) is a native of the American Southwest. A descendent of Pueblo (Tewa) and Spanish Colonial peoples, he considers his ability to express both sides of his heritage to be a great gift and responsibility.
A completely self-taught musician, Ronald has studied music since his youth and is widely respected as a master performer of the Native American flute as well as the Spanish style guitar. In addition to guitar and flute, he enjoys Pow Wow singing and dancing.
He is a six-time Native American Music Award nominee. He is also a two-time New Mexico Industry Award Winner for Best Native American Music Production. He has been featured twice on National Public Radio's Performance Today program for his performance at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival's Salute to Indian Art Market. His music has been included in various video soundtracks including 'The Trail of the Painted Ponies', 'Spanish Missions: Magnificent Restorations', ‘Zozobra' and 'The Blood Cries Out'.
He makes his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he performs extensively at area hotels, resorts, restaurants and civic events. In addition to performance, Ronald successfully operates his own recording studio and record label.www.RonaldRoybal.com
