Money can feel like one of the most overwhelming and confusing parts of a classical music career. In this episode, explore the reasons so many musicians feel unprepared to manage their finances, why money education is often delayed until it's "too late," and how your personal experiences shape the way you save, spend, and think about financial stability.

You'll hear stories from Nathalie's own financial journey—from childhood money beliefs, to working in student loan servicing, to learning how to enjoy spending without guilt—and the systems she uses as a freelancer and entrepreneur. Discover why financial stability is built, not granted, and how small, consistent steps can transform the relationship you have with your bank account, your work, and your peace of mind.

Main Points:

• Why classical musicians grow up with a scarcity mindset—and how this shapes everything from gig decisions to financial anxiety
• How gaps in music school curricula delay your financial literacy journey
• The impact of delayed gratification on budgeting, saving, and long-term planning
• How personal upbringing, culture, and early money memories influence your current habits
• The simple spreadsheet system that makes budgeting, variable income tracking, and tax season easier
• Why separating personal and business finances can be a game changer for freelancers
• How to enjoy your creature comforts sustainably without spiraling into guilt
• Clear strategies for reducing or avoiding debt whenever possible
• Why there's no "one right way" to manage money—and how to build a system that fits your lifestyle
• Recommended resources for first steps to discovering your version of financial stability

Resource Links:

• Tori Dunlap and Her First 100K on Instagram
• "Financial Feminist" Podcast and Book
• Your Rich BFFon Instagram
• Networth and Chill Pod
• Pre-order "Well Endowed" by Vivian Tu

Follow us for more music career support!

• Get The Musician's Real-World Survival Guide for free

How do modern musicians incorporate creativity into their careers beyond creating music? In today's episode, co-hosts Nathalie Simper and Katherine Emeneth discuss what creativity looks like in their music careers and in their personal lives - and how that balance has changed over the years.

Main Points:

• Why music as a creative outlet can become "stale" for career musicians
• Discussion on how creative career norms (not just music) actually discourage creativity
• Why being creative doesn't mean you have to be "innovative" or "cutting edge" in big ways
• How creativity beyond your career can actually spark creativity
• Incorporating "routine" creativity to develop open mindedness and flexibility
• K and N's sources of inspiration/motivation/drive even through the "busy work" of musicianship

Follow us for more music career support!

• Join the Limitless Musician Newsletter
• Follow The Limitless Musician via Instagram
• Check out The Music Teacher's Playbook

As we grow closer to the end of the year and the anniversary of The Limitless Musician Podcast, Nathalie shares heartfelt gratitude to the listeners of the podcast and members of the KE Creative community! Katherine and Nathalie say thank you by sharing FREE career support for music entrepreneurs and private music teachers that is just a click away:

Free Resources:

• KE Creative's Freebie Library
• The Musician's Real-World Survival Guide
• Instrument Holiday Hats
• Christmas Warm Ups
• A Music Teacher's Guide to Pricing
• How to Raise Your Music Lesson Rates

Paid Resources:

• The Private Music Teacher's Document Kit for only $29!

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 The Musician's Real-World Survival Guide
• Follow The Limitless Musician via Instagram
• Check out The Music Teacher's Playbook

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 Instagram (@gill.flutes)

• Subscribe to her YouTube channel (@gill.flutes)

• Check out her journey on Substack: The Practice Room 🎵

• Gill's recommended reading: "How to Love Better" by Yung Pueblo

Want to get BTS content?

• Join the Limitless Musician Newsletter

• Follow The Limitless Musician via Instagram

• Check out The Music Teacher's Playbook

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 HERE

• Request more info HERE

• Hear about other Playbook Grads HERE

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:

• LM Newsletter - sign up to get "The Musician's Real-World Survival Guide"
• Music Teacher's Playbook - see if you're a good fit!

Resource Links:

• Worklife with Adam Grant - "When Work Takes Over Your Life" interview with Arianna Huffington
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
• Organize Tomorrow Today by Jason Selk, Tom Bartow, and Matthew Rudy

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!

• Follow The Limitless Musician via Instagram
• Katherine on Instagram
• Real Talk Tuesdays on YouTube