Flutist Kaissy Yau fell in love with playing in an ensemble. Now, she dreams of one day performing professionally in a symphony orchestra.
“Being together in one moment in time and creating music is wonderful,” Yau says. “The sheer volume of sound as a group of 60 — you can’t re-create it as a solo player.”
Yau is a senior at the University of Arizona and is meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with resolve.
The Most Dangerous Instrument
“I say mask up and stay safe, but don’t let it hinder your creativity,” Yau says. “I want to be as safe as possible, but I’m going to keep making music.”
Born in Hong Kong, Yau has been playing the flute since she was 6 years old. She practices four to six hours a day in preparation for end-of-semester performances and has applied for graduate school, attending Zoom interviews in place of in-person visits.
“I say mask up and stay safe, but don’t let it hinder your creativity,” Yau says. “I want to be as safe as possible, but I’m going to keep making music.”
— flutist Kaissy Yau
She and up to 15 fellow flutists practice in person weekly at Centennial Hall, creating a giant circle to play. According to professor of flute Brian Luce, the players are at least 30 feet apart at all times.
Why the extra space? The flute is the only instrument that can’t be played while wearing a mask. A clarinet, for example, can be played through a slit, but the flute can’t — plus, it is open on both ends, allowing aerosols to spread in multiple directions. So safety is paramount.
“The flute is the most dangerous instrument during the pandemic,” Yau says. “I am so safe about it and get tested twice a week.”
Originally published in the Winter 2020 Arizona Alumni magazine.
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