2/4/2011
By GARY DEMUTH | Salina Journal
MCPHERSON -- Nina Perlove considers herself a YouTube pioneer.

When the Cincinnati-based musician first went to the popular video-sharing website in 2007, she saw that a lot of rock guitarists had posted self-made performance videos, but videos by classical musicians were scarce.

So Perlove thought, "Why not put my flute performances on YouTube?"

"I thought if I could post videos, people could see how I play and how I teach," she said. "I put a couple up there, and I got views from all over the world. It took on a life of its own and got a bigger and bigger following."

Thus began Perlove's "Real Flute" project, a collection of videos focusing on unedited flute performances, teaching topics and video blogs on music issues at www.realfluteproject.com.

Perlove said her objective as the self-proclaimed "Internet Flutist" is to create a worldwide online community of flutists.

"The goal is to abandon fear and take risks while creating art that is meaningful and real," she said.

In the meantime, Perlove makes a living through private and group flute lessons and as a faculty member at Northern Kentucky University, located just south of Cincinnati.

She also gives flute performances throughout the U.S. and Europe, performing recitals, concertos and chamber music concerts.

"As much as I love the Internet, my heart and true love is in live performing," she said.

Under the name Per l'Amore (Italian for love), Perlove will be performing a duet recital with concert pianist Eric Himy on Feb. 12 at the McPherson Opera House.

Connecting to people

In their debut performance as a duo, Himy and Perlove will salute Valentine's Day with a selection of works from the French Romantic repertoire.

"It's very much a classical recital, but we hope to reach a broader audience," Perlove said. "It's great to connect with people from all over the world but also from all generations as well."

Perlove is a student of French and American flute training and has won prizes in numerous competitions, including the National Flute Association Young Artists Competition and the Richardson Young Artist Competition.

In addition to performing and teaching, Perlove also is a critically acclaimed music writer whose articles have appeared in Perspectives of New Music, American Music, Windplayer Magazine, Flute Talk Magazine and Flutist Quarterly.

Need a sense of humor

When it comes to teaching, performing and writing about classical music, Perlove said it helps to have a sense of humor.

"A lot of people associate classical music with stuffiness," he said. "Sometimes I'll do things that are funny and use humor, and people are drawn to that. I want to show people of all ages that classical music can be fun."

As a music teacher, Perlove said she wants to connect with as many students as possible. That's why she's developed online webcam classes that have attracted flute students from around the world.

"All they have to do is turn on their computers, and it's almost like I'm in the room with them," she said. "It's a great tool for those who want to learn the flute who don't have access to a teacher."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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