Fabulously Fierce Friends, Ebonee

Ebonee writes: Ebonee is a flutist residing in Miami who in her spare time enjoys travel and capoeira.

CQ writes: I met Ebonee in graduate school.  She speaks French, has fantastic taste in foot apparel, and is a delightful travel partner.  Her musicianship is amazing, and she inspires me to be courageous in trying new things and seeing new places.  She didn't feel comfortable answering the standard 10, so I adapted them to music because she is so fabulous that deserves at least a spot on CQ, and probably her own internet fan club!

1. Who are your role models - food related or otherwise?

My Mother and Grandmother, Nelson Mandela, and Igor Stravinsky


2. What is your drink of choice?

Slightly chilled water with a slice of lime, Cuban coffee is a close second

3. What is your favorite book?

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

4. What was your most memorable musical experience and why?

An All Shostakovich program in Carnegie Hall with Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony. It was my first orchestral performance at Carnegie Hall. There were some amazing musical moments and scary ones as well but I got to have this great experience with some of the best musicians in the world and the audience was fantastic as well.


5. What is your musical gadget or tool?

My Korg Tuner/Metronome. I even have 2 so one can always stay on my stand at home.


6. If you had to play a recital right now, what would you play?

I would play the Jet Whistle by Villa Lobos, Carter's Scrivo in Vento, East Wind by Shulamit Ran, Trois Piece by Pierre Ferroud, An Idyll for the Misbegotten by George Crumb and probably some Bach to give everyone's ears a break ha!


7. What kind of music do you listen to for fun?

It's usually not classical. Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf and B. B. King never get old to me. But I also really enjoy listening to my uncle Arch Hooks' music too!

8. What is your philosophy on practicing and performing?

A colleague of mine used to tell me practice as though you are the worst and perform as though you are the best! I love it.


9. Are there any composer's works that you can't stand?

Anton Bruckner, sorry!


10. If you could use any super power to help you be a better musician, what would it be and why?

Superhuman breathing for sure. That's self-explanatory!

OK, so I'm gonna try and answer your food ones...


4. What was your most memorable meal and why?

Any meal I had during a six week chamber music/photo tour of Umbria during the summer of 2006. They were never less than 4 courses. The meals almost always came from "hole in the wall" places in small towns. They were always delicious and beautiful to look at. Everything was fresh and amazing. I'm an Italian food snob now hahaha!


5. What is your favorite kitchen gadget or tool?

My cuisinart mini food processor

9. Are there any foods you can not stand to eat?

If I had to choose between eating a beet or a root canal I would choose the root canal.