Hedrick helps fellow doctoral student Kenae Komugi perfect her technique.

"The main reason I wanted to get a doctorate was so I could teach," she said. "I like pushing people to think outside of the normal threshold of just playing notes and think about what music really means."

Hedrick was born in Houston, lived in upstate New York as a child, and spent her teenage through college years in Flagstaff, Ariz. She got into music at the age of 8, after getting a perfect score on a third grade musical aptitude test. Her first choice of instrument, somewhat arbitrarily, was the flute, which she has been playing - and studying - ever since.

After completing her BA in Flute Performance at Northern Arizona University, she moved to Lawrence, Kan., with the intention of pursuing graduate studies at the University of Kansas, but she changed her mind after meeting the instructor. A year later, she came to Eugene after a professor in the music school was so impressed with her audition tape that he offered to give her free lessons for a year while she became eligible for in-state tuition (on the condition she practiced three hours a day). After completing her master's degree, she was offered a fellowship to begin the doctoral program. She is the principal flutist in the University Orchestra, and also plays with the Eugene Symphony, the Oregon Mozart Players and the Eugene Opera.

A focus on a single instrument, however, isn't as limiting as it sounds. Hedrick can also play other woodwinds, many of which have similar key structures to the flute, as well as percussion and string instruments.

"I can play almost every other instrument a little bit," she said. "I can even play a tiny bit of banjo."

Despite her accomplishments, Hedrick doesn't have her sights set on fame and glory.

"It's not gonna happen. Believe me - I practice constantly, but I can't imagine I'll be the next Paula Robison," she said, referring to the renowned classical flutist.

Hedrick said she does not have a natural talent for music. She has had to work hard every step of the way to get to where she is today, something she considers an advantage for someone who wants to use her experience to help others become better players.

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