Flute Authority is part of the West Music Company family, a company founded in 1941 by flute maker Pearl West.  

Pearl was more than a music retailer. He was a craftsman who understood flutes from the inside out. He believed that flutists deserved instruments built with integrity, precision, and care. This belief and commitment to serving flutists at the highest level shaped West Music and eventually gave rise to Flute Authority.  

In the mid-1970s, Pearl met Masashi Miyazawa. What began as conversations about design and shared ideas grew into a trusted partnership. In 1977, West Music became the exclusive US distributor for Miyazawa Flutes, marking the beginning of our dedicated work representing exceptional flute makers in the United States. 

In 1991, Steve West brought Hammig into our family. Handmade in Germany and revered for extraordinary quality and sound, Hammig piccolos embody generations of woodwind artistry. Partnering with Hammig deepened our connection to European master craftsmanship and to the professional players who demand refinement at the highest level. 

In 2010, after years of personal friendships and earned trust, we welcomed TJ Flutes. TJ Flutes support advancing students and developing musician, offering a wide range of options for players who are growing into their sound. This partnership allowed us to serve flutists earlier in their journey while upholding the standards of quality and service that define our work. With an amazing selection of piccolos and low flutes, TJ Flutes also offers high-value choices for an expanded audience.  

A meeting at Musikmesse led to our partnership with Sankyo Flutes in 2013. The idea was not to replace Miyazawa, but to expand our professional offerings for serious players seeking a different tonal color and playing experience.

While both Miyazawa and Sankyo represent the highest level of Japanese craftsmanship, they offer distinct approaches to sound and feel. By representing both, we are able to serve a wider range of professional preferences – honoring the reality that sound is personal, and that the right instrument must align with an individual player’s voice, personal preferences, and artistic goals. 

In 2018, through a personal introduction, we began distributing Song Headjoints – another collaboration rooted in mutual respect, artistry, and care for the player’s experience. 

Every partnership has grown from shared values, long-term vision, and trust. We do not add brands casually. Each relationship reflects our commitment to representing makers who care about the instrument as deeply as the player does. 

We’re here for the long haul – matching flutists with instruments made with intention, and standing behind every partnership with the same trust, care, and respect that built our story.