Today we’d like to introduce you to Wildflower Winds.
Hi Wildflower, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The three of us met in 2018 through the Houston Concert Band and quickly connected as a flute section with a shared interest in flute-centric chamber music, orchestral arrangements, contemporary works, and popular pieces. That shared vision led to the formation of the HCB Flute Ensemble in 2023, where we explored a variety of flute choir repertoire.
Building on that experience, we founded Wildflower Winds in 2024: a professional flute trio dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the extended range of the flute family—piccolo, C flute, alto flute, and bass flute.
As the name suggests, we draw inspiration from Texas wildflowers—distinct, expressive, and rooted in the landscape we call home. Just like these blooms, each voice in the flute family brings its own color and character. Through our performances, we aim to reflect that diversity and spirit, blending classical, contemporary, and popular music in fresh, engaging ways.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every moment of Wildflower Winds has been a joy — we share a lifelong love of music and flute performance. One of the ongoing challenges, and also one of the most exciting parts, is adapting our music to fit each audience’s unique taste. As musical preferences continue to evolve, it pushes us to stay creative, explore new repertoire, and keep things fresh. Also, low flute (alto and bass flute) repertoire isn’t as widely available as C flute repertoire, so there have been times we needed to get creative and arrange pieces to adapt to our trio!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a trio, we strive to captivate audiences by incorporating the broader range of the flute family—including piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute—alongside the standard C flute. While most people are familiar with the C flute from traditional band and orchestral settings, the alto and bass flutes remain relatively unknown and underutilized. We aim to change that by integrating these rich, resonant voices into our performances. The alto flute, with its warm, mellow tone, can be thought of as the viola of the flute family, while the bass flute brings depth and power, much like a cello or string bass. These instruments are more commonly found in flute choirs, but in a trio setting, their textures can be heard more intimately and distinctly—which adds a unique dimension to our sound.
Outside of performing, each of us has a different full-time career:
Michael works as a client associate in wealth management,
Kawanna is a music educator,
and Jennifer is an engineering project manager.
This diverse mix of professions brings a wide range of transferable skills to the group—from organization and problem-solving to communication and creative planning. We’ve found that our different backgrounds actually complement each other and help Wildflower Winds operate smoothly, both musically and behind the scenes.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important things we’ve learned is the value of adaptability — being ready and willing to pivot to suit your audience. “Knowing your audience” goes beyond just awareness; it means being responsive in the moment. Not every setting calls for high-level classical repertoire — some crowds may connect more with familiar or eclectic selections, while others might really appreciate the avant-garde. We’ve found that offering a variety of styles in our performances allows everyone to find something to enjoy, and this often leads listeners to discover and appreciate music outside their usual norm.
Equally important: finding humor and joy in even the toughest challenges. That shared outlook has been key to keeping us connected and resilient as a group.
Pricing:
- Varies by occasion, venue, and expected time/repertoire coverage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildflower-winds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildflower.winds?igsh=MXJ5YmQxa295czV6eQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573529840742
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildflowerwinds?si=1QS6wS8fJeXxdm4X
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildflower.winds?_t=ZT-8uQ6EN6ULWA&_r=1
Image Credits
AJ Molina Photography
