Andrea Fisher, a professional flutist and entrepreneur, speaks with Kent County High School students Wednesday, May 18 in the school's Tom McHugh Theater.
WORTON — In a pair of visits to local schools last week, musician and entrepreneur Andrea Fisher sought to teach students how to break new ground and forge their own identities in whatever they choose to become.
Fisher, a professional flutist and graduate of the Juilliard School, came to Kent County High School and H.H. Garnet Elementary School Wednesday, May 18 to speak with and perform for students.
A world-class flutist, Fisher's work extends beyond performing.
Fisher also is an entrepreneur known as the Fluterscooter who has a company that sells instrument travel bags. Popular artist Lizzo is purported to be the owner of a Fluterscooter bag.
Fisher's performances rack up views on YouTube and other sites. One of her hooks is that she can play multiple instruments simultaneously, such as the organ and the flute.
She spoke about all of this with Wharton's music and business students in the Tom McHugh Theater at Kent County High School May 18.
"When I was your age in high school, I was probably practicing flute three hours a day, piano three hours and bassoon — I play bassoon as well — about two hours a day," Fisher told students.
It took more than practice for Fisher to get where she is today.
For starters, she also had to work to pay for her music lessons while she was in school. She spoke about having a newspaper route and the lessons that instilled in her.
"I wanted to have these flute lessons," she said. "So I think that was kind of the beginning of how I became an entrepreneur, just because I knew about that hustle."
Wharton said Fisher was a good resource for the high school students and the McHugh Theater made for a great setting for her discussion.
"I think her message was profound in that you need to be comfortable with your abilities and willing to learn new skills and technology to succeed," Wharton said. "She was very motivational for our music and business students."
During her visit to Garnet, she taught students about not being boxed in to one musical genre as a flutist.
Her performance at Garnet incorporated elements of hip-hop flute playing.
Garnet students also learned how she came to be known as "Fluterscooter."
Fisher told them the nickname came from driving around New York City on a scooter with her flute strapped to her back going to performances and recording sessions.
Professional musician Andrea Fisher plays the flute for students at H.H. Garnet Elementary School Wednesday, May 18.