The Limitless Musician
Helping modern musicians find modern solutions to the problems you face in building a sustainable music career
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S2EP7: Networking - Making Lasting Connections
11/12/2025
S2EP7: Networking - Making Lasting Connections
When you think of networking, do sleazy sales people and shallow conversations come to mind? In this episode, explore the reasons networking feels so unnatural, especially for classical musicians. While some are more comfortable networking, explore the reasons you are often set up to dread having to network or climb professional circles. Learn how social media can be both a drain AND a tool for making genuine connections, and how to shift your focus from “What can I gain from others?” to “What can I give to others?” Main Points: How music connects you with others and also makes you believe you’re a floating island Why being the perfect image of professionalism isn’t the most effective way to network The accessibility and endless potential to human connection that comes from social media The ways that social media skew measurements of genuine relationships and the real root of human desire to interact with others The difference between social takers and givers Nathalie’s real-world example of giving and how it enhanced her professional life Four simple steps to become a giver Follow us for more music career support! Get your FREE copy of
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S2EP6: Balancing Kaleidoscope Music Careers with Gill Derer (@gill.flutes)
10/29/2025
S2EP6: Balancing Kaleidoscope Music Careers with Gill Derer (@gill.flutes)
Tune in for a candid conversation with Nathalie Simper and Gill Derer, a classical musician who has the epitome of a kaleidoscope career. From her experiences of becoming an “accidental” social media influencer, creating performance opportunities for herself, and balancing the many hats she wears, Gill shares the lessons she’s learned along the way (as well as the lessons she’s excited to continue learning). Main Points: How becoming a social media influencer found Gill The expectation VS. reality of being a modern classical musician The pivotal moment in Gill’s educational path that is still evolving How small incidents stack up to completely change the course of your career The humanity in questioning your journey as a classical musician Finding ways to feed yourself so that you can give to others The connection we fuel through music Why creating your own opportunities is more difficult yet more rewarding Get to know Gill! Follow her on (@gill.flutes) Subscribe to her channel (@gill.flutes) Check out her journey on : The Practice Room 🎵 Gill’s recommended reading: Want to get BTS content?
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S2 Bonus: Planning for a Profitable Studio with Carmen Chavez
10/22/2025
S2 Bonus: Planning for a Profitable Studio with Carmen Chavez
Have you ever had a plan for building a private studio but didn’t know how to move forward? In this bonus episode, Texas flutist Carmen Chavez shares her experience of graduating with a master in music performance with the challenges of a global pandemic. Carmen shares the gaps in knowledge she needed to fill and how The Music Teacher’s Playbook, KE Creative’s coaching program for private music teachers, helped her go from 1 student to a full and thriving studio. To learn more about The Music Teacher’s Playbook: See EVERYTHING included in Playbook Request more info Hear about other Playbook Grads
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S2EP5: Vulnerability in Being Yourself
10/15/2025
S2EP5: Vulnerability in Being Yourself
In this heartfelt solo episode, Nathalie reflects on the side of authenticity that most classical musicians avoid talking about. Sharing her own experiences of burnout and rediscovering purpose beyond a career, she explores how reconnecting with yourself often means walking away from what you already know. Through this discussion, gain insight on vulnerability as a vessel for growth instead of weakness. Nathalie also shares her favorite resources that helped shape her approach to authenticity. Main Points: The idea versus the reality of “being yourself” Why most people avoid being vulnerable, even with themself What it means to “Be a Person” The balance of challenges as a burden or a privilege Finding balance in hobbies and other activities that connect with your core identity Podcast and book recommendations for shifting perspectives and practical tools to change habits KE Creative Links: - sign up to get “The Musician’s Real-World Survival Guide” - see if you’re a good fit! Resource Links: - “When Work Takes Over Your Life” interview with Arianna Huffington by James Clear by Mel Robbins by Jason Selk, Tom Bartow, and Matthew Rudy
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S2EP4: Embracing Authenticity, Part 2
10/01/2025
S2EP4: Embracing Authenticity, Part 2
Following the previous episode on being your true self in professional spaces, co-hosts Nathalie and Katherine dive into what living and working authentically means for them. Listen to their stories of struggling with the pressures of following a “traditional” path of musicianship, and the turning points that helped them redefine who they are on their own terms. From setting boundaries to making space for all that makes up your identity, this conversation highlights the power of self-discovery and creating opportunities that align with who you truly are. Main Points: Why the “checklist” of traditional music career paths don’t guarantee success The battle between musical perfectionism and showing up authentically How to distinguish your musical identity from your human identity Understanding which sacrifices lead to success and which lead to burnout How Katherine and Nathalie prioritize self and balance their multi-faceted careers, including ideas to keep your creative spark alive Follow us for more music career support!
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S3EP3: Embracing Authenticity as a Modern Musician
09/17/2025
S3EP3: Embracing Authenticity as a Modern Musician
In this solo episode, Nathalie breaks down how professional authenticity and basic human survival instincts can be at odds. If you’ve ever felt like you had to craft a perfected professional version of yourself in order to be successful in your music career, this episode is for you. Learn about why musicians tend to struggle more than others to fit in, and how to create an environment that helps the real you THRIVE instead of just SURVIVE. Main Points: How presenting different versions of yourself is rooted in the need to survive Why classical musicians walk certain career paths even when it feels like the wrong move How showing up authentically promotes creativity and artistry in Classical Music Five steps to practice being your true self and find ways to thrive How being yourself can transform your life! Studies about Conformity and Effects: Follow us for more music career support!
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S2EP2: Creating Community - Live Session
09/03/2025
S2EP2: Creating Community - Live Session
Co-hosts Dr. Katherine Emeneth and Nathalie Simper pull back the curtain on some of the secrets to their private studio cultures! Get a walk through of how to infuse your quirks into your studio, encourage students to bond, and how to make recitals, masterclasses, and more a reality. Main Points: Why most private teachers are nervous to shape their studio culture How Katherine’s and Nathalie’s studios embody similar values in different ways Low, medium, and high effort ideas to make connections between you, your students, and your local community How to make studio events affordable with your strengths and resources Thinking outside the box to create a business and a private studio that is uniquely YOU If you loved this episode, Enrollment is open and we are ready to help musicians like you build the private studio of your dreams!
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S2EP1: Learn to Reflect, Reset, and Realign with Reasonable Goal Setting
08/20/2025
S2EP1: Learn to Reflect, Reset, and Realign with Reasonable Goal Setting
We’re starting Season 2 with a bang! In this solo episode, host Nathalie Simper dives into the connection between the habits you form and the possibilities of successfully reaching your goals. Learn how to actively shape your process of goal setting and reaching so that you can spend more time growing and less time playing the blame game. Main Points: How past experiences shape the way you approach goal setting and resolutions Why reasonable goals often seem impossible to accomplish Understanding the difference between the “ideal” timeline and the “real” timeline Adopting a “growth mindset” to turn failure into a path to success A repeatable 3-step process to break down goals into easy tasks Follow us for more music career support!
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BONUS: Digital Courses in Classical Music
05/14/2025
BONUS: Digital Courses in Classical Music
Have you ever thought of creating your own digital course but had zero ideas on where to start? Host Nathalie and co-host Katherine dive into the world of digital courses and the missing elements you need to make a digital course profitable. With Katherine’s decade of experience with The Music Teacher’s Playbook, listen to the myths, limits, and breakthroughs that can help you share your expertise to the right audience. Main Points: The truth about digital course creations and why they’re not always “passive” income The business components that most musicians miss How knowing your people and community can make the difference How to use sales psychology without being “icky” The transformation of The Music Teacher’s Playbook throughout the years Success stories from Playbook Grads and how you can create your own community! See in action! Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 10: The Limit DOES Exist - Challenging Limits to Redefine Your Success
05/07/2025
Episode 10: The Limit DOES Exist - Challenging Limits to Redefine Your Success
For the final episode of Season 1, host Nathalie breaks how knowing that career limits exist can be the first step to engineering the career you’ve always wanted. The long accepted “truths” that classical musicians will always be burned out and financially unstable are challenged in a way that gets you unstuck and finding clarity in which moves to make next. Lastly, you’ll hear tips on how to name, challenge, and break the mental limits in your personal and musical life. Main Points: How music degrees and tradition reinforce narrow definitions of success The ways you unintentionally create and enforce your limits Naming your limits to facilitate your success Relearning your mindset to push through your limits Small steps for exponential growth Like what you hear? Shoot me or Katherine a DM on Instagram! Nathalie at Katherine at Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 9: “Investment” Isn’t A Bad Word
04/23/2025
Episode 9: “Investment” Isn’t A Bad Word
Host Nathalie and co-host Katherine discuss the definition of investment when it comes to classical music. We will shed light on the ways musicians invest more than money in their careers and talk about how 3 types of investments can make a clearer path to the career you want. Main Points: Why musicians feel disappointed with investments Investments that musicians make that actually stall career progress How money is just one factor in building success Three types of investments that can define your career path How to avoid measuring your identity by the investments you make Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 8: Saying “Yes” to the Right Things
04/09/2025
Episode 8: Saying “Yes” to the Right Things
In this episode, Nathalie talks about people pleasing and its not-so-subtle place in classical music jobs. Think of the ways you "starve" yourself on personal and professional levels when you say "yes" to everything. Find out how you can begin to change the habit of saying "yes' to everything else into saying "yes" to yourself. Main Points: How music programs train you to be a people pleaser The reasons you keep saying "yes" when you want to say "no" Three ways to shift your habits and prioritize the right things for you Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 7: Burn Your Burnout: Building Sustainable Patterns in your Life
03/26/2025
Episode 7: Burn Your Burnout: Building Sustainable Patterns in your Life
In today’s episode, we talk about the “badge of honor” classical musicians carry: Burnout. Your music degree may have started the fire, but are you keeping the flame burning? Hear about co-hosts Katherine and Nathalie’s personal journeys with balancing stress, as well as the top 3 things that can fuel or burnout or help you reset. Major Points: The reality of experiencing burnout throughout your life The difference between burnout in college and post-graduate reality Applying the concept of homework to goals and tasks How balance helps you protect your real priorities outside of your career Building structure, purpose, and balance to manage stress Practical tips to balance your schedule, understand your limits, and build a sustainable routine Book Recs from Kath and Nath: Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 6: Beyond Potential - Turning Your Potential Self into Your Ideal Self with Kate Kayaian
03/12/2025
Episode 6: Beyond Potential - Turning Your Potential Self into Your Ideal Self with Kate Kayaian
Limitless Musician Kate Kayaian shares her journey as a professional cellist, entrepreneur, career & mindset coach, and now as an author of “Beyond Potential: A Guide for Creative Who Want to Re-assess, Re-define, and Re-ignite their Careers.” Join Nathalie and Kate as they discuss how your past shapes your future, how to connect with the version of yourself that you wish you could be, and actionable steps to infuse your core values into every aspect of your career. Main Points: Pivoting your career when there is more that you want Stories or lessons you carry that define your perspective The “blossoming” process of re-learning yourself and embracing your Ideal Self The balance between the pursuit of perfection and the realness of the best version of you How to create an environment with people and resources who help you grow Finding your core values in your career, especially when you balance multiple jobs Get to know Kate! Pre-order “Beyond Potential” at or Website: Instagram: Podcast: Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 5: The “Sweet Spot” - Unlearning Perfectionism in your Classical Music Career
02/24/2025
Episode 5: The “Sweet Spot” - Unlearning Perfectionism in your Classical Music Career
In this solo episode, Nathalie talks about perfectionism and its roots in the classical music industry from performance to your way of thinking. Reflect on how perfectionism holds you back in your music career, how human nature can break the perfectionist mindset, and what you can do to unlearn the rigid mindset that makes you stand in your own way. Main Points: How you are conditioned to be a perfectionist musician Challenging the perceived “truths” about practice makes perfect and other misconceptions The difference between psychological inflexibility and psychological flexibility Building your own mental prison - and how to break it down Five steps to finding your “sweet spot” to overcoming perfectionism and embracing adaptability Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 4: The Balancing Act—Reframing the Work and Life Balance for Modern Musicians
02/12/2025
Episode 4: The Balancing Act—Reframing the Work and Life Balance for Modern Musicians
In this solo episode, Nathalie is diving into the struggle that every musician can relate to: the balance between your work life and your personal life. As musicians, we’re conditioned to prioritize work above all else—but at what price? The reality is that burnout, anxiety, and exhaustion run rampant in our field. So, is there a way to build a thriving career without sacrificing personal wellness? Main Points: The difference between living to work VS. working to live Why musicians feel pressured to overwork and its effects A simple but powerful question to set balance in motion for you Practical ways to set boundaries, say no with a purpose, and create a sustainable career Follow us for more music career support!
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Episode 3: From Student to Trailblazer – Dr. Katherine Emeneth’s Musical Evolution
01/12/2025
Episode 3: From Student to Trailblazer – Dr. Katherine Emeneth’s Musical Evolution
Get to know co-host Dr. Katherine Emeneth as she shares her journey from shy piano student to industry leader. Katherine reflects on her early struggles with self-confidence and the societal pressure to conform to traditional music career paths. Her story reveals how resilience, hard work, and innovative thinking transformed her career, leading her to create programs that empower modern musicians to thrive on their terms. Main Points: A Humble Start: How childhood experiences shaped Katherine’s love for music. Defying Expectations: Building a multi-faceted career that blends education, performance, and entrepreneurship. Resilience Through Rejection: Lessons learned from conservatory auditions and academic setbacks. Empowering Others: Founding K.E. Creative to guide musicians toward limitless careers. Follow Us!
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Episode 2: First-Generation Challenges – Balancing Tradition and Passion
01/12/2025
Episode 2: First-Generation Challenges – Balancing Tradition and Passion
In this episode, co-host Nathalie Simper shares her inspiring journey as a first-generation American pursuing a career in music. Growing up in a Guatemalan household, she faced challenges balancing cultural expectations with her passion for music. Nathalie discusses pivotal moments in her education and career, highlighting the importance of perseverance, community, and self-discovery in building a fulfilling career. Main Points: Cultural Expectations vs. Personal Dreams: Navigating familial expectations in a non-traditional career path. The Power of Community: How magnet arts schools and supportive mentors shaped Nathalie’s journey. Career Setbacks: Learning resilience through grad school rejections and rediscovering a love for music. Finding Fulfillment: Redefining success by creating a career aligned with personal values and passions. Follow Us!
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Episode 1: Breaking Free – Redefining What It Means to Be a Limitless Musician
01/12/2025
Episode 1: Breaking Free – Redefining What It Means to Be a Limitless Musician
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Limitless Musician! Hosts Nathalie Simper and Dr. Katherine Emeneth explore the concept of becoming a "Limitless Musician" and challenge the self-imposed boundaries many musicians face. They discuss how societal expectations and outdated industry norms hinder creativity and success. By sharing personal experiences and actionable advice, they aim to inspire listeners to break free from traditional molds and redefine success on their own terms. Main Points: Defining Limits: How industry norms and self-doubt create barriers for musicians. Social Media’s Role: Dispelling the myth of perfection and curated lives. Limitless Mindset: How overcoming fears and embracing authenticity can redefine your career. The Classical Bubble: Acknowledging the limits of traditional paths and finding new opportunities. Follow Us!
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Introducing The Limitless Musician – Redefine Your Music Career
01/10/2025
Introducing The Limitless Musician – Redefine Your Music Career
Welcome to The Limitless Musician, the podcast designed to inspire and equip modern musicians to build sustainable and fulfilling music careers. Hosted by Nathalie Simper and Dr. Katherine Emeneth, this show is your go-to resource for actionable insights, practical support, and fresh perspectives for breaking down barriers in the classical music industry and beyond. In this trailer episode, Nathalie and Katherine introduce themselves and share their mission to help musicians redefine success on their own terms. Whether you’re a performer, educator, content creator, or exploring new frontiers in music, this podcast is for you. Nathalie and Katherine are here to remind you that your career isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that financial and personal stability doesn’t have to be sacrificed for your dreams. Get ready to challenge old paradigms, embrace your uniqueness, and build a music career that enhances your life instead of limiting it. Main Points: Meet Your Hosts: Nathalie Simper, a classical music entrepreneur and self-proclaimed organizational queen, shares her journey of quitting and returning to music with a renewed mission to create a career that reflects her values and lifestyle. Dr. Katherine Emeneth, founder of K.E. Creative, brings her expertise as a trailblazer in helping musicians find innovative ways to thrive. Who This Podcast Is For: Musicians feeling stuck in the burnout cycle. Those navigating self-employment in music. Anyone ready to challenge the starving artist stereotype. What to Expect: Discussions on embracing individuality to build a limitless career. Strategies to adapt your career to fit your life, not the other way around. Inspirational stories from guest musicians who embody the limitless mindset. A sprinkle of fun with guest appearances from their furry assistants—Barney, Chewy, Grimm, and Teeth! Follow Us!
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