My name is Val Flamini and I am the founder of Little Flame. I created the Little Flame organization to assemble my services, creative endeavors, collaborations, writings, and other offerings. The name "Little Flame" was inspired by my family name Flamini. Although not a direct translation, the visual perspective of flame-ini (as in a tiny flame), suits my innate drive to be a light for others. Not in the sense that I know the right way to be or do life. Trust me, I have had my share of mistakes and continue to stumble. Rather, as a voice or light that may meet other's needs.

Born during the pandemic, Little Flame was first developed as a Facebook group to accompany a college course exploring music for social justice. The course was offered during 2020 when a perfect storm of human cacophony occurred. Current events and the raw fear of being in a pandemic contributed to an exasperated social climate. Political turmoil was making enemies out of family and friends; data on rising carbon dioxide and ocean levels turned even apathetic consumers toward eco-conscious living; and the murder of George Floyd instigated a race relations upheaval all over the United States of America. This time of dissonance continues to filter into our everyday lives. Perhaps the Divided States of America would be a better description for a country that accelerates down the road of deep fragmentation. The initial onslaught of events caused many young adults to feel scared and angry, compelling them to share and do something in the face of the madness. Social justice was a sensitive topic to tackle for a college course. However, how could these issues be ignored? Avoiding the issues that permeated all aspects of our lives would be like teaching with a herd of elephants defensively blocking any other subject matter. In addition, the challenges educators faced during the pandemic made teaching a whole different ball game. The limitations of remote learning made constructing a typical teaching environment impossible. This was especially so with respect to music education. I had to think outside the box. This is how Little Flame came into existence as a place to share projects, make music, and celebrate human connection beyond geography and social-cultural lines.  

In March of 2024, the organization became an LLC intended to expand the parameters of its outreach. Little Flame LLC is positioned to become a resource for events, services, knowledge, and publications aimed at individual and community transformation. This organization is for those who aim to be stronger, more aware humans than they were yesterday. A place where the highest voice in each of us is free to explore and express. Perhaps then the light, or little flame ignited, is passed from you to another in need of inspiration. In the spirit of compassion, we not only retain our humanity but exponentially spread the fodder needed to rekindle others.