Have you ever felt lonely? Just about everyone has, and the feeling is especially common among "onlys" -- those uniquely isolated from their peers because they are different in some important way. In this moving talk, renowned classical musician Elizabeth Rowe shares her struggles as an "only," and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Follow her journey as she taps into the powers of imagination and vulnerability to build community.

Elizabeth Rowe is the principal flutist of the world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra. Called a "divine flutist" by the New York Times, you can hear her on numerous Grammy-award winning recordings with the ensemble. Elizabeth attracted international attention in 2018 when she filed an equal pay lawsuit against the orchestra. The lawsuit—considered the first of its kind in her industry—received extensive national and international news coverage, culminating in a heavily researched article by the Washington Post that exposed a significant gender pay gap within the orchestral music industry. Following this, the Boston Globe recognized her in its annual Bostonian of the Year feature, calling her "The Fighter." Elizabeth and the BSO successfully mediated the case in 2019, and she remains a dedicated member of the orchestra. By shining a light on pay practices within her industry, her actions continue to raise important questions within her profession, and she continues to embrace opportunities to advocate for change.

Along with her performance and advocacy work, Elizabeth is committed to mentoring the next generations of musicians and artists, empowering them to courageously lead their industries. She is also deeply interested in building bridges and fostering connections among people in all fields who seek to have an impact in their places of work.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx