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Mary Youngblood Website
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M.Y. Events
Mary Youngblood
2011 Musical Retreats
April through October
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Mary's Birthday 2008 ~ "Memories"
My fondest memories of Mary not only include being with her inside Moaning
Cavern, but even more so - and oddly enough - in the quiet time on the drives to
and from her concerts. Since I drive so long to see her each time, I play her
CD's and let the energy of the songs move me emotionally and "spiritually", if
you will.
Each CD has one or two songs that always moves me to tears, for they take me on
a special, emotionally charged journey each time, whether it is an expression of
love for my wife and a memory of when she and I first met, or its a projection
of growing old with my wife and looking back at our life together... Mary's
music has always taken me away as if on a magic carpet ride. Her Spirit, through
the flute, is like a horse that rides me through heather filled hills.
I am truly grateful, and honored to know Mary, and for the time and opportunity
I have to get to to know her even better.
Cryss BlackWolf
Sierra Raven Clan
June 18 2008
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Hi Dan,
Please put my wife & I on the list to receive the details.
We wish Mary a very Happy 50th Birthday. Here's to many, many more
Grammies. The Great Spirit shines upon her.
Namaste,
Rodger & Georgia Tellefson
June 17 2008
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Happy Birthday Mary
Your music brings me much joy! I have had the privilege of hearing you on
stage and what a treat. You have inspired me to play the flute and that brings
so much pleasure to my life. I listen to your CD's and enjoy your songbooks.
Best wishes for this special birthday, have a wonderful celebration, your
journey has touched so many. May the upcoming years bring you much happiness.
martha cook
MAY 15 2008
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Dear Dan,
There are so many memories of Mary that it is difficult to choose just one.
There was our first meeting which was the result of Sherry going into the
western store where
Mary worked. Mary saw my quiver of flutes - the first ones she had ever seen
that actually
were tuned properly - and she asked to play one or them. She and that flute
sounded great -
which led to us being catapulted upward.
There was one time in her backyard when she lived in the northern part of
Sacramento that
she was playing with drum accompaniment and the theme was a thunderstorm
approaching,
arriving, and then leaving. That song with the drums has never been heard since
to my
knowledge, but it was one of the great ones, beginning in the far distance and
fading into
the far distance at the end.
There was the trip that Mary, Sherry, and I took to Scott Loomis' home in Oregon
where we
camped for a weekend with many other fluties. We awoke in the morning to the
sound of
Zuni Sunrise played by at least two people in different directions from us. The
caused the
birds to awaken so there were bird songs after the flutes were played.
Mary has been a prime mover in the Native flute saga that has gone worldwide.
What she
contributed is in the universal subconscious now and cannot be taken back - so
it is eternal.
Thanks for helping out with this.
Lew (Price)
June 17 2008
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"MY FLUTE JOURNEY"
I first crossed paths with the incredible "Native American Flute" at the
California World Music Festival in July of 2004. I looked, listened and even
tried to play one of the vendors display flutes. I was very tempted to purchase
one but hesitation got the best of me.
For one year I lived in a world of Flute regret. Yes, when WorldFest came around
in July of 2005 I went looking for and found the flute vendor. That was when I
purchased my first "Native American Flute".
"Fast forward to Fall of 2006"
I had reached a point of great frustration. I was unable to improve my playing
skills. I had no flute playing friends to play with and learn from. I was Unable
to locate anyone local to help with lessons and so on. The flute seemed destine
to sadly rest on the shelf.
So I took a flyer, so to speak.
I hit the contact button on Mary Youngblood's web site. Asking if she was aware
of anyone in Northern California that I could reach out to for some help. Of
course, I didn't really expect a reply.
But to my surprise I did receive a reply. When I learned that Mary was not only
local but offered personal lessons, I fell off my chair. I thought WOW! Could
this be true? Could I actually have a lesson with a Grammy winning artist?
Oh, it was true. Mary took me under her wing during our first visit.
Understanding that I had no musical background, Mary creatively coached me with
some very helpful hints and technics to work on. I left that lesson FINALLY
believing that I could improve my skills with this instrument and explore the
many music avenues within me.
Understanding my situation, Mary also steered me to the "Loping Wolf" Wood Flute
and Drum Circle. Where I found open Hearts and arms to help with my Flute
Journey. What a great gift she shared. But that story is for another day.
Mary has since become a "Great Friend" and continues to be a wonderful
inspiration. Coaching, Teaching, Challenging.
Thank you Mary. Thank you for your Spirit. Thank you for your warm Heart. Thank
you for your wonderful sharing nature. Thank you for challenging my skills.
Thank you for opening my eyes to the incredible "Spirit of the Flute". Most of
all Thank You for being You.
With your guidance, my "Flute Journey" continues.
If ever you need a friend, never must you look further than the author of this
letter.
All my Love and Support,
Ely
June 16, 2008
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Mary, you are a "musician's musician". Your love and passion for the Native
American Flute is unparalleled, and you express this so completely in your
playing. When I think of all of the times that I've been fortunate to see you
play, I still think back to the small concert at East/West Bookstore in Mountain
View so many years ago. Your ability to engage the audience as if they're
longtime friends and your unique style of encouraging the audience to jam with
you, immediately left an impression on me. Now, I know that all of that is
simply a central part of who you are as a person and a performer. I am so
thankful that you have been an early and consistent influence on my flute path,
and I honor you for.
Happy Birthday!
With love and appreciation,
Mike Oitzman
June 14 2008
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Happy Birthday Mary ; You have brought much joy with your lovely graciousness
and gift of you magic flute.
Blessings, Norma & Charlie.
Charles Rosenau
June 12 2008
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What can I say? You have been my teacher and mentor and often catalyst
in my explorations and delightful discoveries of the spirit of the
flute, and the delight of dueting and making music with you and with others.
I sincerely hope you enjoy reaching 50! It's really not too bad, once
you get the hang of it (giggle).
In Spirit, Love and Friendship,
Francesca (Reitano)
June 12 2008
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Mary radiates inspiration. She teaches so simply and clearly. She
listens attentively. She demonstrates
clearly. She plays beautiful melody with incredible tone. She
inspires me to feel confident as I travel the flute path.
I'm delighted to have her as a companion and guide to this instrument
and this music.
Antoinette
June 8 2008
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Hi Dan:
Thank you for the Birthday invitation for Mary's 50th Birthday. We will be out
of town but I would like you to include the following Birthday wish in your
book:
HAPPY, HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY MARY!
WE LOVE YOU AND ALL YOU DO FOR THE MUSIC WORLD. MAY MANY BLESSINGS COME YOUR
WAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND ALL THE MUSIC YOU CREATE ON THE FLUTE. SEE YOU
AT OUR NEXT CONCERT ON JANUARY 31ST, 20009.
LOVE, LANNY AND TISH LANGSTON, PETER AND LINDA WOLFE
IMAGINATION THEATER
May 23 2008
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Wow. . .Mary is it possible that
so many years have gone by
since we first met?
We love the memories of being
with you during your first recording
at the Moaning Caves. . . .those of
us dangling by ropes struggling to
get to the bottom, where you so patiently
waited, giggling at our 'graceful' ascent.
We are always so thrilled when our paths cross,
it's so rewarding to see you as a successful recording artist.
Congratulations on your Birthday and future
adventures.
To know you is to love you!!
Love
Dale and Dede Bannister
May 22 2008
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"I met Mary on a very surreal night in a very surreal setting back in early
1996. With the invaluable tutoring and assistance of Lew Price, I had started
making flutes about five months earlier, perhaps about November 1995. After
having made about a dozen or so flutes, I found a photo on a website of a "dual
chambered flute, which is what we used to call "drone flutes", and decided, what
the heck, I'm gonna make one of those. The first attempt yielded what seemed, as
far as I could tell, a very functional drone flute in the key of E. At this
point, I had not yet met Mary, but Lew had told me, to paraphrase, "When you get
a flute made you are satisfied with, take it to Mary and she can show you what
its capable of", something like that.
So, with drone flute in hand, and feeling a bit more timid than I am today, I
attended my first flute circle ever, where I would meet Mary Youngblood. It was
held at a house, with a marvelous back yard, just down the street from where
Mary lived at the time. As I walked out back, the scene was bit surreal, it was
dark, there was a bonfire going, and everything and everyone was lit up by this
glow, including Mary. I timidly walked up to her and asked if she would play the
drone flute I was holding in my hands. I realize its a physiological
impossibility, but I swear her jaw dropped to the ground. As it turned out, Mary
had been praying for a drone flute for a month or so, and here some fledgling
flute maker walks in and hands her one. Lots of goose bumps were experienced. I
sat mesmerized on the ground, next to her chair, as she proceeded to play the
first drone flute she would ever own. It was the beginning of a marvelous
adventure with this very, very talented lady that would significantly influence
my flute making endeavors and, in many ways, my life.
Another quick story is of a gig Mary had one night at the Borders book store
in Roseville. The performance area in the store and in particular where the
microphone was set up, was about twenty feet from the cappuccino machine. Well,
I won't try to come up with a word for the sound made by a cappuccino machine,
but suffice it to say, it wasn't the best accompaniment to a Native American
Flute. Nevertheless, trooper that she was and is, she played through the making
of many, many hot beverages. At one of these types of events, I remember Mary
saying to me, "You can say you knew me back when!" Well, here we are more than
a decade later, and I can say with love, its been and continues to be my honor
to know my friend, Mary Youngblood. God Bless, Russ Venable"
May 20 2008
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY,
May you have many more Birthdays and many more songs to sing.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever
Mike
Mike Moran
May 20 2008
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Mary,
As we move through this journey we call life, we experience many
opportunities, some will be joyous and others might appear as struggles,
but it is through the struggles that we begin to question and make
different choices.
We have only recently met, but I feel honored to have been guided to
share your light. You have been gifted with an amazing talent and
through the beauty of who you are, you freely share that talent and
allow others to experience the wondrous beauty of your music. I thank
you for that, and for providing me the inspiration to follow the flute
song which comes from the heart.
As your birth time arrives and we move into the time of harvest, I
believe it will be a bountiful time for you as you harvest new
opportunities. It is time to step into your personal power and create
that which you want; it is there waiting for you.
May the Creator light your way each and every day,
Many Blessings,
Pat Allen
May 19 2008
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June 24, 2008
When I am high from playing my flute, my heart is filled with gratitude to you,
Mary. You have blessed and brought joy to so many of us, through your musical
compositions and exquisite playing. You have guided us to the beauty and magic
of this beautiful instrument......thank you!
Happy 50th Birthday, Mary! May your life continue to be abundantly blessed!
Love,
Susan Santini
LOPing Wolf Clan
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Dearest Mary, Sister of my heart!
Happiest of Birthday celebrations to you and I hope to see you soon.
Stephanie, Dean and Paula also send their happy birthdays!
Love,
Sister Friend
Sharon Downer (Ravenstar)
May 18 2008
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Mary
When you turned 30,
you were too busy with life to notice.
When you turned 40,
it was a little scary...
you're getting "old" after all :)
But you Survived.
Now, you find 50 at your door.
This is the time you look for more.
The children are grown,
You have time of your own.
Yeah, it's still a little scary,
but you'll soon find that the old addage is true.
Fifty is pretty Nifty.
Your music has always been a source of joy and inspiration.
I have always admired you for what you have accomplished
and for what you do with your gift.
But, I gotta tell ya...
that evening at Echoes
when you stopped everything for just a few moments
To listen to the young lady play her drum for you,
as you communicated with her in Sign,
and honored her by joining in her song...
a song she could only hear by feeling the vibrations...
you won my heart and respect forever.
Blessings to you as you find that 50 Really is pretty Nifty.
Soft Winds Blessings
Rae
You will always be my Idol and Inspiration.
May 18 2008
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Mary,
Never in a million years would I have believed one year ago that I
would Know Mary Youngblood. I am so glad life can be so unpredictable
. Playing the flute has done miracles in bringing joy to my life, &
lucking into finding you to teach me...well, how lucky is that?!
You have helped me to remember that life can be hard, but there is
always something you can do that brings joy & sometimes you just have to
"go for it"!.
You are fun to be around, & I hope we will have a long ride together.
Happy Birthday girl!! 50 is just the beginning!!
Donna
May 15 2008
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We wish Mary a very Happy 50th Birthday. Here's to many, many more
Grammies. The Great Spirit shines upon her.
Namaste,
Rodger & Georgia Tellefson
May 15 2008
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Mary
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
You are a gifted musician!
Your music and time has inspired many beings on this
earth to express their song via the flute!
Your song brings much needed peace to this planet!
Thank you for being born on/in this day!
Hope you have a fun celebration with all your friends
and family.
May all your wildest dreams come true for you!
Peace and Love,
Stacy Mora
May 15 2008
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Michael Bayard on this end.
I am a percussionist and sound healer.
Mary Youngblood is a good friend and colleague of mine, and I perform regularly
as a duo with her, and we have about 12 CD's together of live concerts that we
have performed, plus countless other extemporaneous recordings together.
I have attached a photo of Mary playing at my wedding on August 12, 2007- on a
cliff on the North Coast, a few miles south of Mendocino. There were only 8
people in attendance - total.
In terms of Mary's 50th birthday celebration on June 21 --I may be able to
attend, so please send me details. I would probably attend with my wife Wendy,
if I am able to adjust my concert schedules.
Thank you Dan! I look forward to potentially meeting you, and I look forward to
hopefully being able to attend Mary's birthday bash on June 21. Please send me
details.
In the mean time, here 's a quick YouTube piece - you might enjoy the spicy poly
-rhythms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB83CvpBvwM
Kindest and Blessings,
Michael Bayard
May 15 2008
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Dear Mary,
I thank the Creator for you. When I first heard you play I was so stunned at
your sound and the sound of the Native flute that this has taken me to a journey
which has lasted for two and a half years. I'm still on this journey of the
flute and loving it. I started out playing the Native flute because of your
influence and joined the flute circles, then I started getting involved in Pow
Wows, then with the First Nation People in Sacramento, then with the American
Indian Movement with Dennis Banks Longest Walk 2 !! I learned so much from the
Native People that I have encountered and now all this has taken me to back to
playing my flute regularly........and Now I Play my flute for the ANCESTORS.
Thanks to your influence I am fulfilling my dream. I've always been interested
in Archeaology and now I'm part of an Archeaological dig in Fairfield and play
my flute to the Native Ancestors found there, and Mary, they found at least TWO
WOMEN Flute/Whistle ladies. Yeah girl !!!! ..... even 2000 years ago Women
were playing the flute/whistle and they were buried with them !!!...just like
the men were. I am proud to be part of this project and to let people know who
the ancestors were and how they lived and that there were indeed flute ladies
!!! I am honored that it is me that is chosen to draw the ancestors as they must
of looked 2000 years ago. Even though I am NOT Native American and I have no
idea why I am so interested in the culture, I think there is a purpose to all
this and I am just taking it one day at a time !!!!
Thanks Mary for the inspiration !!
A-ho
May 14 2008
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Mary,
What a blessing this world received 50 years ago. A gift that would not only
bless those of us who are fortunate to be in your energy as
often as we can, but most importantly, the world. May you continue to be a gift
and share yourself with the universe, may you continue
to bless the world with your music and teachings. On your birthday, you will
receive many gifts, however, you are the very best gift any
of us could hope to receive.
Happy 50th birthday, and may there be at least 50 more. Thank you for sharing
your very special day with all of us.
Bill and Linda Hironimus
Maui, Hi
May 14 2008
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