Music: “Flute Making with Charlie Mato-Toyela”

Deadline to Register: May 6th at 5:00 pm

Description: Join us for this special workshop and pricing brought to you in partnership with the Alabama Folklife Association! Charlie Mato-Toyela will teach students about the history of Cherokee flute making and then guide the class as they make a traditional Cherokee whistle. This whistle is very simple to make and the process in class will not require any drilling or other special expertise. Charlie and Jessie Mato-Toyela regularly make these and many other types of Native American Flutes and Whistles in their business, Blue Bear Flutes. Students will be able to take their whistle home with them to continue playing and studying this ancient musical instrument.

This program is sponsored in part by the Alabama Folklife Association (AFA).

Instructor: Charlie Mato-Toyela has been making Native American Flutes and whistles since before age 15. The first and most inspiring flute he made was the four-hole whistle that his Cherokee grandfather taught him to create from tree bark. After that, he searched out and learned about many of the thousands of other Native flutes and whistles. In addition to making, Charlie has recorded nine of his own albums and been featured on countless others within every genre of music. He has played the Native American Flute across multiple genres from country, blues, bluegrass, rock and rap. Charlie is active with many Native American groups in school as well as his local community and has been featured on public radio and other media speaking about Indian culture.

Charlie has a rich and diverse Native American background. He is an enrolled citizen of the United-Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation by blood through his father’s lineage. His family, which can be traced back to Chief Moytoy of Tellico, never left their ancestral homeland in the east during the notorious ‘Trail of Tears’ march to Oklahoma territory. His mother is of Kuna and Lakota/Ojibwe descent. Charlie’s Grandfather, Frank Webber, was the first Native American to be awarded the title of Brigadier General in the United States Army. Today Charlie and his wife Jessie, along with their three children, make many thousands of flutes. They travel to powwows and Native American Festivals nationwide offering their flutes and whistles as well as on their website www.bluebearflutes.com to the world. Charlie is also very active on social media, especially YouTube (youtube.com/bluebearflutes) where his videos teach millions of people all over the world to make and play Native American Flutes and where he produces music videos for the flute.

Supplies and Attire: All materials and equipment are provided.

Time: Saturday, May 7th (1:00pm – 3:00pm)

Tuition: $30.00

Supply Fee: $0

Level: Beginner

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Important Information: Registering for a workshop indicates that the student is 19 years of age or older and understands that photographs/video may be taken during the event and their image may be used on Burritt on the Mountain’s website and social media outlets or other promotional materials. Registration also indicates that the student releases Burritt on the Mountain and the City of Huntsville, all their directors, employees, volunteers, and any persons associated with Burritt on the Mountain, from any liability for any bodily injury and/or property damage suffered by the attendee as a result of actives during the educational program.

Cancelation Policy: Our workshops take a great deal of advance planning and purchasing of supplies. Students that cancel 14 days or more prior to the date of the class will be eligible for a refund, minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. If a student cancels 14 days or less prior to the date of the class, no refund can be issued.