A NATIVE FLUTE STORY

Here's a wonderful story about the power of the Native American Flute and how it brings people together:

Meet Kaytlynn, a six-year old little girl who had the experience of a lifetime.  Kaytlynn lives in Kirkland , Washington , the same City in which Mary Youngblood grew up.  Mary arrived in Kirkland on Thursday, January 15, 2009 , for her brief Homecoming Tour, and was immediately escorted to the Assembly at the A. G. Bell Elementary School., the same elementary school she attended as a child. Kaytlynn saw Mary perform at the Assembly and, after coming home, adamantly told her mother that she "had to go to the Multi-Cultural evening to see the female Native American Flute Player, Mary Youngblood."  Kaytlynn's mother was ill, so her stepfather took her back to school that evening.  Mary and Kaytlynn had not yet met personally.

On Saturday, January 17^th, Mary and her Cellist, Michael Kott, of Santa Fe , NM , drove by her old home of more than 40 years ago in Kirkland to take a photo.  As Mary took the photo from the window of the car, a woman came to the window.  Mary reassured her that she just wanted to take a photo of her old home, and they would then be on their way.  The woman asked her, "Are you the Flute player?"  Astonished, Mary said, "Yes, I’m Mary Youngblood."  She knew that they had never met.  The woman said, "My daughter really loves your music and wants to talk to you." Kaytlynn came running out the door and told Mary how much she loved her music and that she was learning Amazing Grace on the piano.  It turned out that Kaytlynn had the same room in the house that Mary had when she was a child, and Kaytlynn had begun picking out tunes on the piano at the age of 4, the same age that Mary had begun playing the piano.  Recognizing that their daughter was very interested in music, Kaytlynn's parents had provided piano lessons for her.  Kaytlynn and her family have Native blood, and Kaytlynn's mother told Mary that Kaytlynn had had a rough time, after losing her Grandmother, her Father, and her baby sister over the previous summer.

Kaytlynn’s story touched Mary’s heart, and she could relate to Kaytlynn’s pain.  Later, Mary went back to her hotel and called her own mother for the address of their old home in order to try to get in touch with Kaytlynn and her Mother.  Not being able to find their telephone number in the phone book, Mary stopped off at the house on her way to KPC and personally invited Kaytlynn and her mother to that evening’s performance at the Kirkland Performance Center .  As her mother was ill, and they were unsure if they could come, Kaytlynn gave Mary this note:

Kaytlynn and her mother were able to make it to the performance, and Mary played "Amazing Grace" and dedicated it to her. Mary was also able to take Kaytlynn backstage and show her what a working musician’s life was like.  Mary told Kaytlynn:  "If you continue playing music, it will heal your heart, soul, and spirit."  Mary also told Kaytlynn, "Someday, I’ll be attending one of your concerts."  Mary gave Kaytlynn her card and e-mail, and told her that she would like to stay in touch and follow her career.

Please share this story with your friends, families, and Flute Circles.  We will keep you updated on what's happening with Kaytlynn.