10thirtysix

(light music) My name is Sonora Slocum, and I am principal flute of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The way I've been able to make space for myself in classical music is just by being me and unapologetically myself. No matter what environment I'm in. So that's been a challenge. (light music) Mentorship is important because it's important for musicians to not feel like they're alone in any kind of circumstance when something happens that's disappointing or upsetting. (tense music) I've been recruiting a lot of diverse students because I want them to have someone to come to who has a shared experience. (light music) Moving into this new world of Zoom has allowed me to have access to really, really talented students that I might not have had the reach to receive and help. And I think that's really changed the industry. (light music) Our goal is not to just sprinkle color around for the audience to see our goal is to really change the institution, the industry, at least that's my goal. (light music)