Dwight’s (aka Quiet Bear) journey to becoming a full time Naïve American Flute maker started in 2003 when he bought his wife Linda her first NAF.  It wasn’t long before Linda wanted another flute in a different key.  Dwight started researching its history and how to make the NAF and decided he could make one for her.

Dwight loves the outdoors and spent his younger years in the Puget Sound area of Washington before moving to Oregon.  He did some woodworking in his earlier years.  Both his grandfather and uncle were wood crafters.  A good friend, Rod Rice is a wood expert and through him Dwight has been able to obtain woods from all over the world.  Quiet Bear Flutes are made from some of these rare, exotic woods and many come with their own history, in which he likes to share with others. He enjoys bringing to life the beauty and characteristics that these woods have developed through their years of growing.

Much of Dwight’s flute creations and learning has come through his dreams.  He would get up in the night and go work on these ideas.  It wasn’t long and Linda had her new flute. Then it was making flutes for family and friends and grew from there.  Over the first year he worked on developing his own style by merging different types of woods together, incorporating inlays, stonework, and creating an antler inlayed block of which has become his trade mark along with the bear paw brand.

Now Quiet Bear Flutes has become Dwight’s full time passion and has allowed him to retire early from a company he worked at for over 30 years.

The NAF has brought about many positive changes in Dwight and Linda’s lives and over the years they have seen how the NAF touches the hearts of others.  Along with flute making, they travel the northwest and attend many events throughout the year. It gives them great satisfaction to share this wonderful instrument with so many people.  Their lives are filled with family, grandchildren, and spending time in the outdoors enjoying  God’s creation.