Our member of the week is Ronald Seldin. Ronald has been a musician for 50 years, specializing in the Shakuhachi. What exactly is that, you might ask? The Shakuhachi is a Japanese form of a flute, made from bamboo. Ronald is quite accomplished, as he is the head of the largest Shakuhachi Dojo (Japanese for ‘training hall’) in the world outside of Japan. He is also both a Grammy- and Oscar-nominated artist. Check out Ronald’s website and get to know him a little better as he answers a few questions below.

1. What has been your most interesting project?

Probably single-handedly organizing and producing the 4th International Shakuhachi Festival at New York University. It proved to be the largest gathering in History of non-Japanese Shakuhachi players, and the 2nd largest overall gathering of Shakuhachi players.

2. Why did you decide to go freelance?

I have always been a free-lance musician (performer as well as teacher). I have been working for 50 years, and only 2 of them have been at a 9-5 job.

3. What tip would you give to a new freelancer or someone who is considering going freelance?

Stay true to your dreams. Don’t give-up, and you will succeed.

4. What is your favorite spot in the city in which you live?

My favorite area is where I own a co-op, and where my studio is: Greenwch Village.

5. What is your inspiration?

A better question is “who? My teacher Kurahashi Yodo of Kyoto , Japan is my inspiration.