Tammy Wolkenfeld, a senior flute performance major at Kansas University, balances her commitments of studying, rehearsing and performing with her part-time job. Wolkenfeld performs in the KU Wind Ensemble this semester and is preparing for her senior recital.

“There’s no time for partying or goofing off if you want to succeed in this intense competitive field,” says Kansas University senior Tammy Wolkenfeld, 22. “Majoring in flute performance requires a huge commitment to constant practice and a willingness to push yourself.”

In addition to studying, practicing, rehearsing and performing, Wolkenfeld works as a part-time server at the Eldridge Hotel’s Ten Restaurant.

She admits her schedule is hectic, but it’s a rewarding life and one she very nearly missed out on.

Wolkenfeld was born the youngest of four children in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where her parents Shmuel and Dawn worked on an Indian reservation. They moved to Overland Park in 1990 where her father started a Messianic Jewish congregation. In spite of limited finances, the parents provided piano lessons for their children.

“When I was 9 years old,” Wolkenfeld says, “I heard a teenage girl playing the flute during synagogue service. I was so inspired by her performance I told my parents I wanted to play the flute.”

They were reluctant to purchase another instrument because they felt they’d wasted enough money buying second instruments for their three sons who didn’t follow through and play them.

“I pleaded and nagged them constantly,” she says. “Finally they gave in and bought me a $100 flute which was a lot of money for them.”

The flute became her constant companion, and her parents were thrilled and surprised when they didn’t have to cajole her to practice.

“I practiced every spare minute I had,” she says.

During seventh grade, the temptation to slack off raised its head.

“Luckily I got a new flute teacher, Townes Miller, who encouraged and challenged me to improve my playing technique,” she says. “She saved me from fooling around as a teenager.”

Stints in the youth symphony and orchestra cemented her decision to specialize in flute performance. With Miller’s encouragement she auditioned for KU and was accepted.

She notes the high standards of David Fedele, assistant professor of music and dance, who runs the flute studio.

“He’s a wonderful inspiration to me and the main reason I came here to study,” she says.

To support herself through college, Wolkenfeld worked in several restaurants before getting the Eldridge position in 2007. She says it’s the best job she’s ever had, noting “family meals” served to workers at the end of evening shifts.

“It’s like my second family,” she says, “and it’s saved me hundreds of dollars in food bills.”

She’s in the KU Wind Ensemble this semester, but her favorite place to play is in the orchestra.

“Playing the flute in the middle of so many incredibly talented people is so amazing,” she says. “It’s indescribable and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

She’s constantly stretching herself. Although only required to do a half-recital as a junior, she did a full one and included advanced pieces by Bach and Mozart. A full senior recital is required this year, and she’s considering playing some pieces by contemporary composer Lowell Liebermann.

She’ll be extra careful when selecting the date for her next recital; her last one was March 30, when many of her friends were celebrating KU’s win over Davidson to reach the Final Four.

“Most of them didn’t make the recital,” she says.

Wolkenfeld hopes to attend graduate school and play professionally in an orchestra.

“Right now,” she says, “I’m just grateful for the opportunities I have to learn how to be the best flutist I can be.”