Last week’s weather was humid and hot. Our first meeting with the early flute player Aysha Wills happened on a drizzly afternoon. Aysha, who has lived in the Netherlands for a long time, said he is used to it—Amsterdam often has rain too, but it’s colder than Taipei. He actually finds Taipei’s weather quite comfortable and suitable for walking.

That day, Aysha was dressed very casually, wearing a pair of sporty sandals. At first glance, he looked like a European or American backpacker traveling in Taiwan; however, his large backpack contained not only personal belongings but also flutes and centuries of musical instrument history that have traveled the world with him.

Listening to Aysha introduce the stories and histories of flutes from different eras was like traveling through time, journeying alongside the instruments and musicians.

The 90 minutes flew by quickly. The flute evolved from a simple tube with holes to the invention of keys, which added more possibilities and richness to the pure wooden sound. This was not just a lecture about early flutes; Aysha also explained different historical notation and performance styles, and shared his philosophical thoughts on early music and life.

We sincerely thank all the music lovers who enthusiastically supported and joined us for the lecture "The Sound of Wood—The Evolution of the Flute from the Renaissance to the Modern Era." After the lecture, everyone enthusiastically gathered around the teacher to ask questions and try playing the flute, leaving a deep impression on us. Aysha also wrote emotionally on his Instagram: "There is nothing better than sharing what you love with a group of serious, passionate listeners!"

Thanks again to everyone who participated. We hope you all left as fulfilled as we did.

We have also prepared a conversation video between Aysha and flutist Liao Yixian, sharing different perspectives and insights on music through their performances and dialogue.
Stay tuned!