Episode 331: Create More, People-Please Less with Melvine Naliaka
Release Date: 06/24/2025
Episode 351: Vision Beyond Sight with Liz Hargest
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 351: “Vision Beyond Sight with Liz Hargest” In today’s episode, Heidi sits down with longtime student, colleague, and dear friend Liz Hargest to explore what it truly means to cultivate artistry, perseverance, and purpose beyond physical sight. Liz, who has been blind since infancy, shares how she learned flute through Braille music, how she approaches memorization, and how she continues to grow as a musician and teacher well into her 70s. Her story offers profound insight into resilience, lifelong learning, and the deep internal work that shapes expressive,...
info_outline
Episode 350: Flute Practice Hack—Get Off the Page and Reignite Your Creativity
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 350: “Flute Practice Hack — Get Off the Page and Reignite Your Creativity” Are you ready for a flute practice hack that will completely change how you approach your instrument? In this episode, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay shares how to get off the page and reignite your creativity—so your practice sessions feel inspired, effective, and fun again. If you’ve been playing the same passage over and over, expecting new results, this conversation is your permission slip to break the pattern. Heidi offers simple, refreshing flute practice tips that help you rediscover musical...
info_outline
Episode 349: Be Still and Create—How Faith, Focus, and Less Consumption Lead to True Artistic Alignment
Flute 360
Episode 349: "Be Still and Create—How Faith, Focus, and Less Consumption Lead to True Artistic Alignment" Hey friend, have you ever felt like your creative fire is dimming—no matter how hard you hustle? Like you’re practicing, posting, teaching, scrolling… and yet something inside still feels off? In this week’s episode, we’re pressing pause on the noise to talk about how slowing down and tuning into God’s voice can reignite your artistry from the inside out. I get it—you’re juggling your flute students, auditions, business goals, and maybe even burnout. But what if the next...
info_outline
Episode 348: Movement Is Healing — How Flutists Can Break Free from Stagnation and Step Into Clarity
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 348: “Movement Is Healing – How Flutists Can Break Free from Stagnation and Step Into Clarity” Have you ever felt stuck in your music career? Like you’re waiting for the perfect sign from God before making your next move? In this heartfelt solo episode, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay shares a vulnerable, faith-centered reflection on how movement—both physical and spiritual—can lead to deep healing and renewed clarity. From overcoming a life-changing neck injury to navigating a season of career uncertainty, Heidi unpacks the power of taking small, faithful steps forward....
info_outline
Episode 347: Inside the Musical Instrument Museum — Dr. Eddie Hsu on Global Flutes & Cultural Storytelling
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 347: “Inside the Musical Instrument Museum — Dr. Eddie Hsu on Global Flutes & Cultural Storytelling” In this Flute 360 episode, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay sits down with Dr. Eddie Hsu, Curator for Asia & Oceania at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona. Together, they explore MIM’s new exhibition, “The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment & Power,” and talk about the global story of the flute — from 8,000-year-old bone flutes to modern instruments. Dr. Hsu shares how flutes carry cultural storytelling, spiritual meaning, ceremony,...
info_outline
Episode 346: The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio (Part 3)
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 346: "The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio" (Part 3) In The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio (Part 3), we wrap up this powerful trilogy with stories of transformation, resilience, and community. Dr. Katherine Emeneth and Nathalie Simper share how they’ve helped teachers rebuild confidence after job loss, burnout, or relocation — and find their footing again through purposeful teaching. This final part will inspire you to see coaching...
info_outline
Episode 345: The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio (Part 2)
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 345: "The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio" (Part 2) In The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio (Part 2), we go deeper into the heart of studio building — from redefining success to building long-term financial and creative stability. Together with Dr. Katherine Emeneth and Nathalie Simper, we unpack the myths around “traditional” jobs and reveal how teaching privately can be a powerful, fulfilling career path. If you’ve ever...
info_outline
Episode 344: The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio (Part 1)
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 344: "The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio" (Part 1) In The Music Teacher’s Playbook — Proven Strategies to Start, Grow & Thrive in Your Private Studio (Part 1), we’re starting strong with Dr. Katherine Emeneth and Nathalie Simper as we talk about the realities of building a thriving private music studio in today’s world. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know how to get new students,” or “I just moved to a new city and don’t know where to start,” this conversation is your...
info_outline
Episode 343: Musician Wellness Habits — Daily Routines to Boost Focus, Energy, and Joy with Marquelle Brown
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 343: “Musician Wellness Habits — Daily Routines to Boost Focus, Energy, and Joy with Marquelle Brown” Are you a musician craving better wellness, focus, and energy in your daily routine? In this episode of Flute 360, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay sits down with flutist, licensed nutritionist, and wellness coach Marquelle Brown to explore the power of musician wellness habits that restore balance, creativity, and joy—on and off the stage. Whether you’re a performer, teacher, or creative artist juggling multiple roles, this conversation offers practical strategies to support...
info_outline
Episode 342: Our Holistic Living Story—Energy, Health & Focus with Eric Jay Begay, Part 2
Flute 360
Flute 360 | Episode 342: “Our Holistic Living Story—Energy, Health & Focus with Eric Jay Begay” (Part 2) In this episode, Heidi continues the conversation on holistic living with her husband and business partner, Eric Jay Begay. Building on Episode 340, where Heidi shared her personal journey with the body, healing, and holistic practices, Eric brings his own perspective from the past 15 years of walking this path alongside her. You’ll hear Eric share what has worked for him, what he has observed, and the resources and practices that have made the biggest difference. Together,...
info_outlineFlute 360 | Episode 331: "Create More, People-Please Less with Melvine Naliaka"
Have you ever felt like you're saying “yes” to everyone else but “no” to yourself? Maybe you’ve tried juggling too many roles—educator, performer, entrepreneur—and are left feeling stretched thin and stuck in burnout. Or maybe you’re craving permission to finally choose you and prioritize your creativity, but you're unsure how to say “no” without guilt. If any of that resonates, this episode was made for you.
In today’s heartfelt conversation, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay sits down with Nairobi-based flutist, educator, and entrepreneur Melvine Naliaka, whose story of self-discovery, faith, and resilience will inspire you deeply. Mel opens up about what it means to create space for what matters most, and how she overcame the fear of being seen as “selfish” for putting up boundaries.
You’ll hear her journey of teaching flute in Kenya, starting a student recorder orchestra, launching a secondhand book business, and learning how to protect her energy—all while staying true to her artistic voice. This episode is a love letter to anyone learning to say “no,” create unapologetically, and live fully aligned with their calling.
Main Points:
- Mel’s flute journey: self-taught beginnings and the courage to keep showing up
- Why people-pleasing leads to burnout—and how to recover from it
- The importance of saying “no” to others so you can say “yes” to your purpose
- How to juggle a full-time teaching job with a creative side business
- What it looks like to build your own artistic path with limited resources
- The surprising ways business skills can feed your growth as a musician
- Why relatability and imperfection are powerful tools for connection
- How to balance faith, boundaries, and kindness as a modern creative
Don’t Miss the June 28th Flute 360 Live Session!
Mark your calendar! On Saturday, June 28th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT, we’re hosting a powerful live session inside the Flute 360 Accelerator that’s designed to support your personal, artistic, and professional growth. Click here to join us!
Hour One – Flute Masterclass with Dr. Heidi Kay Begay:
Watch three performers receive real-time feedback and support to elevate their playing:
- Natalie – performing orchestral excerpts
- Caroline – preparing for a July performance
- Mel – our amazing guest from this episode!
Hour Two – Holistic Mastermind with Guest Dr. Kristin Caliendo:
Experience transformative coaching as three flutists work through their biggest career and mindset questions, who include Erin, Carmen & Sarah.
Whether you’re looking to refine your artistry, reset your mindset, or build lasting community, this session is a creative catalyst.
Zoom access and all supplemental materials (book club notes, scores, and more) are available inside the Flute 360 accelerator folder. See you in the inside!
Guest’s Links:
Follow Heidi!
- Follow Flute 360 via TikTok!
- Follow Flute 360 via Instagram!
- Follow Flute 360 via Twitter!
- Follow Flute 360 via LinkedIn!
- Follow Flute 360 via Facebook!
- Subscribe to the Flute 360’s YouTube Channel!
- Join the Flute 360 Newsletter!
- Join the Flute 360 Family’s Facebook Private Group!
- Join the Flute 360’s Accelerator Program Here!