“Heidi’s energy, musicianship, beautiful tone, and musical phrasing combine to make her a stunning and compelling concert artist. It is unusual when high-level performers are extraordinary teachers as well, and Heidi is just that.”
Dr. Nevart Galileas
“I enjoyed watching the video of the program dedicated to Amber! Having Heidi and an indigenous musician play was interesting and effective. The music’s contrast and commonality were engaging and a fitting tribute for Amber. As for Fantasia, bravo to Heidi for a musical and moving performance! You have a beautiful sound, and your passion for music and care for Amber came through the playing. But, as Clark mentioned to me, I can see why Amber’s mother was moved to tears. I am thankful I was able to be part of this project, Chase the Music.”
Ron Royer
Heidi Kay Begay (doesn’t it just make you smile to say her name?). Well, when you meet Heidi, you’ll really smile. When you hear her play, she’ll take you to incredible places with her music. Heidi pours so much of herself into her performance – she infects you with her passion.
I first heard her perform at an event for a young Navajo woman – Amber. She was performing the world premiere of a piece – “Fantasy for Flute”, composed by Ron Royer. It’s the musical outline of a story told with Heidi’s delicate flute performance. Somber, joyous, dancing, wandering, directed, lost, introspective, energetic. The piece is Amber’s life expressed through Heidi’s flute. Impossible to express with words. Somehow Heidi does it with her music.
The performance was nothing short of spectacular. She took the audience through the piece, musically interpreting complex musical and life concepts. She gave her audience a glimpse into the life of Amber through the language of her flute.
Clark Hodge
“My gap year with Heidi was SO transformative! After deciding to begin the application process for my Masters degree (again), Heidi was there to support me every step of the way. She was always there for me when I needed her and provided more support than any other teacher I’ve worked with. This gap year with Heidi truly embodied Flute 360 in every way. Our weekly online meetings were not limited to traditional private lessons, but were intermixed with coaching calls and Voxer voice messages. She critiqued my audition recordings, reviewed my emails and essays, provided study materials for placement exams, held a virtual mock audition for me, and the list goes on and on! Being able to see how she functions as a business woman has also taught me how to move forward with my own business one day. Many things that once seemed intimidating or impossible, now feel more approachable and manageable thanks to her. Having received a full scholarship to study at Roosevelt University, I feel more optimistic than ever about my future. Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you, Heidi!”
Natalie Van Slyke
“Dr. Heidi Kay Begay has been teaching me for over a year now. In this time, I have grown so much as not only a musician but also as a human. She has helped me through my highest highs and my lowest lows. Her methods of teaching are so helpful and make me feel good about myself in the process of improving my skills. One of my favorite methods of teaching me musicianship was at TFS, when we did the presentation over storytelling. It was definitely uncomfortable at first, but it was so much fun and helped me get out of my bubble by the end! Dr. Begay has made my confidence and self assurance grow immensely. I love working with Heidi!”
Matty Chaput
“My name is Peter Musenge, a 19-year-old flutist from Zambia, and I’m incredibly grateful for Dr. Heidi Kay Begay and the Flute 360 studio. My flute journey began as a self-taught musician relying on YouTube tutorials, but it was often unstructured and left me feeling stuck. Everything changed when I met Dr. Heidi. She offered me personalized lessons, unwavering encouragement, and even spiritual support that lifted me during tough moments. Her guidance transformed not only my flute playing but also my mindset and entrepreneurial skills. Dr. Heidi taught me to embrace positivity, celebrate every achievement, and approach my craft with purpose. Through her mentorship, I’ve grown as a flutist, an entrepreneur, and a person. She isn’t just my teacher—she’s my “flute mother,” and I’ll always be thankful for the 360-degree transformation she brought into my life.”
Peter Musenge
“Dr. Begay is a true educator with a wealth of knowledge and experience, which she shares most patiently and understandably. Her passion for music and her students is evident, her positivity and enthusiasm are contagious, and her effort truly goes above and beyond just “music lessons.” Our flutist has benefited from her time spent with Dr. Begay in her ability, confidence, and self-esteem. I would recommend Dr. Begay to any aspiring flutist!”
Jeremy Blackwood
“My daughter thoroughly enjoys her flute lessons! Dr. Begay is so talented, and she’s a very organized, warm, compassionate teacher. She truly goes above and beyond for her students! We have taken lessons with her both in-person and now online, and she is fantastic in both formats. We feel very blessed to have found her, and I highly recommend her!”
Emily Williams
“Heidi is the absolute best! She was extremely patient and our daughter really took off under her tutelage — and best of all, she loved going to her lessons!”
“Dr. Begay was definitely the best flute teacher I ever had. She was super patient as I was learning the ropes of the instrument and more importantly, she made playing the flute really enjoyable!”
“Dr. Begay is more than an extraordinary teacher, she went above and beyond in all of my lessons to help me achieve my goals. Thanks to Dr. Begay’s coaching, I was accepted into West Virginia University’s flute studio where I am studying flute performance. One of my favorite things about Dr. Begay is how she truly cares about her student’s well-being.”
Eric Tapia
“Heidi is incredible! I am an adult who wanted to get back to playing flute regularly, again, for fun. Heidi is extremely knowledgeable and improved my technique significantly. She was willing to push me but was also very understanding of my unsteady practice schedule. The bonus is her absolutely delightful personality!”
Dr. Jessica Alquist
“15/10 favorite flute instructor I ever had! Made it very easy and enjoyable to improve on my flute skills.”
“Dr. Heidi Kay Begay was the most loving and supportive instructor I ever had! She helped me tremendously with my flute skills and confidence! I would recommend her to anyone wanting to get started or advance their existing experience with the flute. She is extremely talented at the flute and teaching. I am so thankful for her and the lessons she taught me. Because of her, I have a strong love for music and the art of the flute!”
Allison Semadeni
“Dr. Begay is very thorough, organized, and kind. She focuses on your individual traits and tailors your lesson to suit your needs. Dr. Begay was a great influence on my skills and confidence as a flute player, and I couldn’t recommend her more!”
Annika Rapp
“Dr. Begay was an amazing instructor for the seven years that she taught me! She shaped me both as a flutist and as an individual in our time together. I had the privilege of taking lessons with her both in-person and online, and she was phenomenal in both areas at aiding me in becoming the best flutist I could be. Not only is she organized, talented, and professional as a lesson teacher, she genuinely cares for her students and displays warmth in all that she does. For these reasons and many more, I can give my wholehearted recommendation for Dr. Begay as a lesson teacher!”
Caitlin Boyle
“Heidi’s Flute 360 presentation for my college flute studio was super engaging and informative. The students learned so much about podcasting and all of the behind-the-scenes logistics of running and recording a podcast. In addition, we all had so much fun! I highly recommend having Heidi present this unique workshop to your students!”
Dr. Julee Kim Walker
“Dear Heidi: Thank you so much for your presentation for the Eastern Michigan University flute, oboe, and clarinet studio on Musicpreneurship! It was a great discussion on alternative ways of creating a thriving career in the arts, and your ideas inspire us. Your work in the industry is not only innovative but inspiring, thoughtful, and energizing. This gave us food for thought to look outside the traditional ways of having a successful career in the arts, and we are grateful for your time and expertise. We wish you the best in the future!”
Dr. Julie Stone
“I love being part of the Flute 360 Accelerator Program. Every time I leave a meeting, I feel inspired as a flutist and entrepreneur. I truly appreciate that the group consists of amateur and professional musicians because even though I have a doctorate in music, I learn something from everyone at each meeting. Everyone has something to contribute, and it’s great that Heidi has created a community where people of all abilities and ages are welcome.
I also love the accountability the group provides, especially when I’m working on a big project. And on the other side of that, I love being able to support my group members in their own projects or musical endeavors.
The Voxer support that Heidi provides has been instrumental in helping me grow my business. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for her support and gentle nudging, I may not have launched my program. As an entrepreneur, I deeply value the advice Heidi provides. Whether I have a question about the technical side of having a business—such as starting an LLC or what microphone she recommends for virtual teaching—to the emotional side of growing a business and putting yourself out there, I sincerely appreciate that she is one recording, and one button away. The pocket coaching is one of the best aspects of the program.
If you’re ready to invest in your growth as a musician or musicpreneur, I highly recommend the Flute 360 Accelerator Program. It was a game-changer for me, and gave me the confidence boost I needed to build my business!”
Dr. Sarah Weisbrod
“My time with Heidi and Flute 360 in general has been life changing. Heidi meets where I am at everyday and has a personal understanding of my concerns as she has worked through many of the same herself. Thus, she has a uniquely valuable point of view for my struggles and always knows exactly what to say. Heidi has made me feel validated, understood, and has been the mentor I have been looking for in this changing season of life. If you have been waiting for a sign to work with her – this is it!!!”
Arden Rice
“When I graduated with my Master’s Degree at the start of the pandemic, I had no idea where my career was headed. I knew what I wanted—building a private studio and playing my flute more—but the opportunities felt so limited that I ended up in a day job within the music industry, though it wasn’t what I’d envisioned. I had been listening to Heidi’s Flute 360 podcast for a while, and when I finally met her in person, we clicked immediately! We quickly became friends, and I began looking to her for career advice. Heidi has so much experience and expertise in exactly what I wanted to pursue, and I knew I could trust her insights. If I had to describe Heidi, I’d call her my “flute big sister.” She’s an incredible role model, and I know she always has my best interests in mind, both personally and professionally. Heidi is so kind and generous with her time, knowledge, and resources! One night, I was working through a last-minute opportunity—a student had recommended me for a flute teaching position at their school. I was so excited that I went into analysis paralysis. I called Heidi, and she immediately jumped in to help. She was so patient and understanding, answering my questions and giving me the confidence to hit that send button on my application. Her best advice? Even if I got a “no” or no response at all, I was still on the right track. My heart and mind were focused on what I truly wanted, and Heidi bet that within six months, I would have exactly what I was looking for—and she was right! Fast forward to today, and I’m working full-time with a studio of flute students, loving every single minute. My future feels bright, full of adventure, and I’ve learned to trust the process and take leaps of faith. Heidi, thank you for your guidance, kindness, and belief in me—you’ve truly changed my life!”
Carmen Chavez
“You were very very helpful for me when it came to my recital prep! I kept repeating the mantra that you gave to me, which is that my speaking voice and my performance voice are the SAME thing! I can’t tell you how MUCH that helped me and my recital! I never really thought of these two voices being the same thing, but it’s so true! I actually made a recorded mantra for myself, and I played it as I was driving into my recital, so this way I could HEAR my voice and remind myself that my speaking voice and artistic voice are the same. And girl….let me tell you! It worked! I had no performance anxiety whatsoever! My dad’s phone even went off in the front row (during the recital) and you think it broke me?! Nope! It did not! That’s the most exciting part of this whole thing! Normally, something like that would make me lose my place…and I actually kept going! It didn’t make me anxious, and none of that happened! I crushed it! I got a standing ovation and a packed house! It was probably the BEST recital I ever played! Was it perfect? Of course not! But it was pretty darn good, and I was very darn proud of my performance!”
Dr. Rachel Geier
“As an extension of Heidi’s famous podcasts with artists, Flute 360’s two-hour Saturday sessions truly provide something for everyone. Flute 360 is a safe, inclusive environment for all—a superbly supportive asset to the flute community, serving both professionals and students alike. Heidi’s greatest offerings include how well-connected she is to the flute scene and how effectively she connects others to a full array of new, creative, and fundamental resources. The masterclasses provide performance opportunities with constructive group feedback and a wide array of applicable discussions, ranging from technology to much-needed resources, studio-related ideas, and problem-solving strategies with follow-up. During sessions, everyone has the option to participate or simply listen, and the pricing is reasonable! As a long-standing professional in the flute community and a former faculty member at San Diego State University, I recently moved to a new country and found myself starting a studio where I was almost unknown. Heidi’s ideas were instrumental in helping me (teaching an old dog new tricks!) to re-start my private studio. With technical tools and ideas having expanded since 1998, it was time to get current—and Flute 360 was the perfect resource!”
Dr. September Payne
“Joining Heidi’s group has been life-changing. From the first session, I felt welcomed and supported in a community of performers at all levels, facing similar fears and anxieties. Heidi’s guidance has helped me trust myself, find joy in my playing, and think deeply about the music I create. Her encouragement inspires me to grow as a performer and teacher, and I’m exploring new ways to connect with my students, even though I’m still a work in progress. Heidi’s lessons are full of actionable steps and heartfelt faith in what I can achieve. Our shared Christian faith has been a great source of strength, especially as I navigate personal challenges like recovering from an accident and supporting my husband through illness. Knowing Heidi has been the best thing to happen to me in the past two years; her mentorship has made all the difference in my life.”
Liz Hargest
“I recently spent an hour virtually with Dr. Heidi Begay on a coaching call. It was one of the most valuable hours I have ever spent. I’ve been wanting to do a pivot in my flute career, and Dr. Begay helped me to fine-tune my goals, make a plan, and get started. Dr. Begay has great insight and is very generous with her information and experiences. She asks thoughtful questions, is a great listener, and gave me great advice. I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed in the flute community.”
Pam Ravenelle
“Dr. Begay helped me prepare for an application process, providing invaluable advice for my CV, cover letter, and a mock interview. I felt vastly more confident in myself and my materials after her help, and my skills clearly benefited. It’s clear she has the experience, perspective, and meticulousness to be a valuable resource for anyone working on CV’s, cover letters, recordings, and interviews.”
Dr. Joshua Hall
“Heidi has the tremendous gift of truly understanding the scope and challenges of the classical music industry today. Her coaching is both incredibly knowledgeable and emotionally compassionate. For anyone who is looking to scale a music business or talk to someone who understands challenges of the 21st century musician – look no further.”
Alyssa Miller
I can highly recommend Heidi Kay Begay to anyone trying to organize their flute business. She is a great listener, resourceful, helpful, and very patient. She helped me reset my priorities as a performing and teaching flutist after a recent move. She follows through on all our ideas and discussions. Her door is always open for further help and counseling, even after our initial sessions. I feel like she really wants to help me be successful! Thanks Heidi!
Vicki Bell Schaevitz
“Hey Heidi! I wanted to let you know that your podcast is making a huge difference – I’ve been using the Expansive Space Exercise from Dr. Angela Beeching [E307] before every performance, and it is SO helpful. Thank you for all the work you’re doing to spread the flutist love!”
Katie Dancer
“I love my new mic set-up, and definitely hear a huge improvement in the sound quality and detail it captures compared to what I’d been using. I’m so grateful for all the information y’all shared in those episodes [E122-E123], because I really didn’t know where to start and wanted to make a good choice! Can’t wait to use it more! Thanks so much again!!”
Jolene Madewell
“This podcast is an AMAZING resource! Rich with ideas about professional development, wellness, musicianship, and entrepreneurship, there is something valuable for EVERY musician. As a composer, author, educator, and violinist, I wish I had this resource earlier in my career. Heidi sets such an honest and welcoming tone in every single episode that challenges and inspires me to think outside the box and to be better. This podcast is bound to help positively shift the direction and conversation about curriculum that music schools are having at Universities across the country!”
Adrian Gordon
“The wealth of knowledge and experience that is shared for flutists and piccoloists is amazing on this podcast. The guests are fantastic and the host is warm, welcoming, and thoughtful. Thank you for providing a podcast that allows fellow musicians and fans into the lives of legends each episode!”
Tara Rozanski
“As a flute teacher with over a decade of experience, I cannot speak highly enough about Flute 360! Heidi has a lot of helpful information to share and I have so enjoyed the practical advice given in her podcast. Keep up the good work!”
Sarah Robertson
“Dr. Begay provides great insights on so many important topics for today’s flutists. I thoroughly enjoy her methodical approach to presenting topics in each podcast. Highly recommend taking a listen to any practicing and aspiring musician!”
Rudy Leal
“A welcoming space for conversation and exchange! Thank you for your passion for dialogue, Heidi!”
Weronika Balewski
“Heidi is an amazing interviewer. Heidi is inquisitive, kind, and respectful and it was a pleasure talking with her. Actually, it was hard for me to shut up.”
“Heidi Kay Begay has a naturally engaging manner. She puts everyone at ease and visits important topics and discussions that are relevant to all of us in the community. It was a joy to work with her and to listen to her other episodes. Thank you, Heidi, for all you do for so many!”
Marianne Gedigian
“I’ve been a big fan of the Flute 360 series since early on! I love hearing my friends and idols talk about themselves! You’ve got a wonderful way of eliciting our thoughts much more deeply than the typical interview, while also keeping us from getting too carried away so the podcasts stay compelling. Your many modes of dissemination make it amazingly convenient to find Flute 360 no matter what our listening habits are, and I love your time map table breaking down where new topics start in each interview. Thanks, Heidi, for being such an amazing and essential resource!”
Daniel Dorff
