Second Acts: A symphony flutist seeks a fresh tune

Elizabeth Landon had reached a pinnacle of musical success, but she kept feeling a tug to explore a new career

Editor’s note: Are you curious about people who have taken bold steps to redefine their lives? This week, we’ll introduce you to inspiring journeys of individuals who have embraced change, pivoted careers, and pursued new passions — even later in life.

She enjoyed her career as a Charlotte Symphony flutist, but feeling restless, she paved a totally different path; an expert shares tips on how to explore a career change

Elizabeth Landon traveled to China after leaving the Charlotte Symphony. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Landon)

by Kerry Singe

Elizabeth Landon grew up surrounded by music. Her parents were trained classical musicians, and by the 4th grade, Landon was regularly playing piano and flute. After graduating from high school, she devoted herself to the idea of playing the flute professionally and attended top schools and training programs. When she was 26, she was hired as the principal flutist with the Charlotte Symphony, obtaining a position that for many is the pinnacle of a long career. 

After spending nearly a decade in the position, Landon, 45, left the orchestra, and her life as a professional musician, to follow an entirely new interest: working with English language learners. 

There was much that Landon enjoyed about her career as a musician. Colleagues were like family, and she enjoyed learning the new programs. But when she turned 30, Landon started to experience what she describes as “flash forward” moments where she envisioned herself in the future. She began to realize that she felt like she should be doing something else. 

“The principal oboe player had just retired from the Charlotte Symphony after 50 years. That is incredible,” Landon says. “But sitting in the orchestra, I could not visualize myself doing it for the next 30 years.”

Thanks in part to a historically strong labor market, increasing numbers of Americans have been making career changes in recent years. Before the pandemic, roughly half of U.S. full-time workers had made a dramatic career shift, and of those who had not, 65 percent of people surveyed said they either were or had considered making a change, according to a survey by Indeed, an employment website. The idea of changing careers became even more popular during the pandemic as people looked for a different work-life balance.

Ali Levin, an executive coach in Charlotte, says more people are realizing they want something different out of their work lives. 

“People are waking up and saying, ‘Why does this matter to me?’” Levin says. “These are very senior people. And they are thinking, ‘I worked so hard. Is this really what I was working for in my life?’”