This month, we catch up with wife/mom/symphony orchestra flutist/racer Debbie Arthur!

Q: Debbie, you play with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra. Give us some background on your music career, and describe for us what it feels like to have a “great performance” in that setting.
A: I began playing the flute when I was 11 and was immediately enamored by music. I practiced and performed often with various youth groups and was energized by several mentors. By the time I was 16 I had soloed with several symphonies as a guest youth artist. I thought for sure that I was going to pursue music performance in college. When I was a senior in High School, I was auditioning for some of the best music schools in the country. Then, I learned about the politics and subjectivity of the profession and questioned if I was seeking performance for the “right” reasons.  In college, I decided to major in sciences and foreign languages and put my flute aside. I was persuaded to play again in recent years and was fortunate to win an audition with the local symphony. I accepted the position with the intent to perform for the love of music. Music for me is a style of communication that is deeper than just a sound or a voice. It reaches far into the soul. It’s really special to be on stage again!

Q: You’ve lived in France for 2 years. Is that something you’ll recommend your kids, Virginia and Kai, do when they’re old enough? Looking back on it, how did it help form your way of life now?
A: I’ve always thanked my parents for allowing me to follow my curiosities. I hope my children are as curious as I was and that they will want to experience other cultures and learn that there are many ways to do the same things we do in the US. For my own personal growth, it helped me to realize that there are so many possibilities to how we can choose to live.    

Q: You guys did a transformative remodel on your 4^th St. house in Fairhaven. Did you hit your vision 100% on the mark, or is that just an impossible goal with kids that are growing and changing daily, and just the “standard deviation” of life?
A: We love our new house and I have to say we did a great job trying to match our vision for a functional home that fits our special needs (wet suits, muddy bikes, lots of outside gear). Our builder (Moceri) and our designer (Deb Todd) helped us to find the technical means to our visions. Who else has a concrete floored “man shower”, a mud room the length of our house and a changing room just for kids in Bellingham?  I guess it hasn’t occurred to us that our children might want to choose a lifestyle other than ours?!

Q: You and Morris had the race season of the decade in ’09 in your tandem surfski, setting the course on fire every time you teamed up. Tell us about the experience and how you feel about doubles racing versus going solo.
A: Morris and I decided that if we were getting a sitter for the kids while we raced, then we should be racing together (We have far more opportunities to paddle solo than together). When we got our first tandem we didn’t realize that we would like paddling together so much. We have learned that we are very compatible tandem partners and found that if we were fit, we could move the boat at nice clip.  I think we (at least I do!)  have more fun paddling together and in some ways it takes the pressure off for an individual effort. I know I am definitely more motivated when we are in our boat together! 

Q: Speaking of solo surfski racing, you raced (and placed!) in the U.S. National Championships in San Francisco Bay this past summer. That’s a world-renowned, iconic body of rough water… especially for paddlers coming from the relatively protected Puget Sound waters. Did it open your eyes to a new level of paddling?
A: As my husband pointed out before the race….I had little experience racing my single and then decided to race in San Fran? I had a really positive experience this year in the Bay and would consider doing it again.   This past year, I paddled regularly in Bellingham Bay (Thanks to Morris’ homemade surfski trailer!) and I learned to paddle in more challenging conditions as a result. I just enjoy being on the water. The wind/water/current is always a little different every time I go out. I am not sure I have my sights set on paddling many great big races, but it sure is fun to participate.

Q: Finish these sentences…..
A: If I could have a week of free, world-class instruction in a new sport that I’ve been intrigued by, it’d be… Board surfing in warm water.
Sometimes, I wonder if people see that our earth is changing environmentally, politically, and technologically faster than we realize.
Given the chance to collaborate on a musical performance, I’d love to perform with the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
If I were sitting face to face with Ernest Shackleton right now, I’d ask him...How did you keep believing that you would survive and instill that attitude with all your crew?
I realize, as I indulge more and more in the NW way of life, and watch my kids grow up here, and see the changes happening in the world, that… I hold my husband and children dearest to my heart and that we are very fortunate to live such a “charmed” life here in Bellingham!

Every Adventure Begins at Home!

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