I’ve written before about this life I lead. I love my life. I love being able to play for such a variety of groups, teach students from age nine to ninety (okay, I’ve never had a ninety year old student … but maybe someday?), and hear and play incredible works. It’s a good life, even while it’s a busy life and somewhat stressful life at times.

The article I just read talks about the pay issues, which can be a challenge, and covers the very troubling lack of health insurance for so many musicians. (I’m blessed to have a husband with a job that covers our family.)

With bachelor and master of music performance degrees under her belt, Tamara Meredith envisioned a life as a college professor, focusing on her specialization in early music.

But things didn’t quite work out that way.

Instead, she is the full-time director of the Eaton Public Library, and the flutist and violist performs on the side with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado and the Dallas Bach Society, and substitutes as needed in a few area modern orchestras. She couldn’t be happier.

“I have a day job in a place that I really enjoy,” Meredith said. “I get to help a lot of people with the work that I do, so that’s very fulfulling. And my evenings and weekends, I’m free to perform whenever and wherever I want.”

I know I whine here a lot. I doubt that’ll ever change. But I do love the music life.