Flute Haven — Flute Maker in Residence

We are honored to have an outstanding and passionate flute maker in residence with us this year. Our experience is that having a flute maker who are integrated with the program is a huge benefit for all participants — trying out various flutes in real playing situations, working directly with the flute maker to understand their craft, and getting personal perspectives on the wide range of instruments that are available.

Jon Norris

Jon Norris is a full-time maker of musical instruments, including Native American style flutes, other woodwinds, cigar box guitars, and various eclectic and interesting instruments.

Personal statement: My name is Jon Norris. I live in Holly Springs, North Carolina, with my wife Melanie and my sons Jack and Charlie. For the majority of my life, I've been involved one way or another with both art and music. Those two interests, combined with my drive to create, have led me to my true passion — creating musical instruments.

After more than a decade of selling my soul for a steady paycheck, I lost my job in July 2010. Although I'd built many instruments over the years, I've always wanted to spend more time in the workshop. I decided to take advantage of the situation I found myself in and dove head first into full-time instrument making.

My mission is to create handcrafted, affordable, high quality instruments that you can use to express the songs in your heart. I believe, as is inscribed on an opera house in Germany, “God gave us music that we might pray without words.”

In addition to offering his creations in the exhibit area, Jon will be offering sessions on “The History and Evolution of Flutes in North America” and “The Prospering Flute Circle — Planning, Programming and Promotion”. He will also add his unique string instruments to a session on playing simple string instruments with flutes.

www.JonNorrisMusic.com