Mirror of the Soul: A Flutist's Reflections
Published in July 2015, Mirror of the Soul: A Flutist's Reflections is Tania's first book. It combines her love of music with her love of spirituality, as she draws stunning parallels between seemingly unrelated disciplines. Much of the content is a natural extension of her lectures at the Art Institute, which she developed for students with little knowledge of music history but huge interest in popular culture. Her book explores her appreciation for theology, time and eternity, history, mathematics, music history, music theory, fine art, energy healing, sound healing and pop culture. The first five chapters are devoted to the five roles of Jesus: Good Shepherd, Healer/Miracle Worker, Carpenter/Stone Mason, Fisher of Men and Son of God. The final two chapters discuss the manner in which pop culture mirrors the highest ideals of the Creator. It was a thoroughly researched labor of love, which magically came together over the course of one year. The perfect information appeared at the perfect time, usually after playing her silver flute and almost as if it was channeled from beginning to end. As Mirror of the Soul was going into production, Tania met her mirror - the love of her life - affirming that everything happens for a reason in Divine right timing. Her book is published by Balboa Press and can be purchased from Balboa directly or Amazon. The book and Tania's blog can be further explored at www.flutistreflections.com.
Book Reviews:
Hi Tania,
I finished reading your book last night and especially after reading your remarks in the coda, it seemed appropriate that I finished it during Advent and on the day we celebrate Our Lady's Immaculate Conception. I'm sorry it took so long but I tend to read several things simultaneously. I especially like 18th-19th century fiction and I have to keep reading until finished. Non-fiction, reference and history I keep coming back to. This is no reflection on the content or my opinion of your work. I found it extraordinary. I especially liked part 1. It contained almost every subject I find interesting and tied it all together in astounding ways. The amount of research showed throughout. I would have to stop at each bold heading, think about what I read, then read it again - I didn't want to miss anything. I often read sections to my wife saying "listen how she tied this together". Part 2 on pop culture I found interesting and entertaining, but I have several years on you and weren't as familiar with those individuals or story lines. Overall, I am blown away by the amount of work you did on this. I am blessed and proud to call you friend. I'll be re-reading, this time with my highlighter and dog-earing several pages. Thank you for sharing, especially so much personal stuff.
Bill Hughes, New Market, Tennessee
Dear Tania,
When I saw that you had written a book, I knew I would read it as soon as I had a chance. Today marked the first time, in a very long time, I’ve sat down and read a book in one sitting. It is very clear to me, that on my life’s journey, how you and I were meant to know one another. At times, our lives have paralleled, at other times, they have opposed. You have influenced me in my personal and spiritual growth, probably more than you know. I enjoyed your analysis of the art of music making, what music means in life, and your thoughts about flute playing in general. I’ve come full circle and now only play silver flutes. As you probably remember, for many years, it was gold, gold, gold! I was always looking for this sound I had in my mind that you had achieved. Your growth as a musician and flute player while you studied with Dave Cramer created a sound that I was simply amazed by. Your master’s recitals remain two of the most fulfilling listening musical experiences of my life. I wanted you to know that your “in the zone” experience was also felt in the audience. I also had to write to mention that, unknowingly at the same time, both of us were probably researching the life of Ernest Bloch. I originally studied Suite Modale with Murray Panitz. As I resumed playing every day again as therapy while recovering from an MS attack, it was one of the first pieces I began to rework. That morphed into wanting to know more about him as human being, more about his life and work, and I researched this at the same time you were writing your book. I enjoyed that part of your book where I saw yet another parallel. I often speak of the “synchronicity” of life and you have helped me see throughout mine, how it all comes together as it supposed to. As someone who has had two near-death experiences, once in the summer of 2000 and once last winter, I can’t say that I agree with the theological aspects of your book. I did not experience the great white light or any visions of religious figures, no comforting arms of Jesus. There was simply a feeling of release in knowing that my life may end and the sound of the Prelude of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in my mind. Congratulations on your book! I greatly enjoyed the read. For me personally, your book and blog has also been a trip back in time to my own piano lessons at National Music Center, thoughts of The Rainbow Connection in grammar school, and other memories that I recalled before we ever even met in junior high school.
With all of my admiration and respect, Martin Petroski, Reading PA