Playing it Forward in the US and Abroad
March of 2015 saw the first international Flutopia Initiative event, in La Antigua, Guatemala. Designated donations received at earlier local Flutopia Initiative events went toward the purchase of student recorders for the children attending school at La Escuela Proyecto la Esperanza (The School of Hope) in Jocotenango. Members of the trio Camerata Amistad, Cathy Herrera, Diane Toulson and Brent Register performed for the
entire school, after which Cathy gave a group lesson to beginning recorder students who were playing the donated instruments.
The Flutopia Initiative has also provided monetary and instrument donation support to Symphonik Ecole music program in Port au Prince, Haiti.
In August of 2016, The Flutopia Initiative offered the first annual national-scope "Play It Forward" concert on the eve of the 2016 National Flute Association held in San Diego, CA. Featured artists for the public concert were two flute and guitar trio Camerata Amistad and the National Flute Choir of Mexico, under the baton of Felipe Tristan, who performed at the
beautiful and historical Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala. The admission to the concert was a monetary or canned food goodwill offering to benefit those in need.
Subsequent pre-convention "Play it Forward" concerts across the country have featured inspiring performances by dozens of flutists benefiting food banks, programs for the homeless, services, counseling support and music education for underserved and at-risk populations, as well as health care for those in need.
Held on the eve of each annual NFA convention, the "Play It Forward" concert will benefit a designated charity in each convention host city, providing an opportunity for flutists attending the convention to leave a positive imprint on the community.