Elizabeth Diaz is a Professional Flutist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She plays with the Middle East Music Ensemble and has her own private psychotherapy practice in Chicago.
She has performed professionally with various ensembles and orchestras in Chicago. She joined the Middle East Music Ensemble (MEME) in 2011 before enrolling at the University, and she has continued her participation in MEME ever since.
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You are still actively involved in the Performance Program as an alumni as a flutist with MEME. How were you engaged in the Performance Program as a student?
During my two years as a graduate student at the University of Chicago, MEME was a source of both creative nourishment and meaningful connection. It offered the perfect balance between the University’s rigorous academic environment and opportunities for artistic expression and community engagement.
Do you have any particularly memorable performance experiences as part of MEME?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment that stands out above the rest—what stays with me is the overall feeling. I’ve performed with many groups and have often felt in awe of the incredible musicians I’ve been lucky to play alongside. Still, my experience with MEME has been unique and unlike anything else.
MEME is the only group I’ve performed with before, during, and after my time as a student at UChicago. It’s also the only ensemble I’ve stayed with that doesn’t offer monetary compensation—yet I’m paid in much more meaningful ways. I’m paid in the widening of my lens, in deepened relationships, and in the ability to analyze music and understand people through the context of rich musical and cultural traditions.
We often hear that you can’t separate music from the people, and in the best possible way, MEME embodies that. When you show up to rehearsal, you’re greeted with a hug, a handshake, or a nod—even if you’re new. People notice when you’ve been working hard on a passage; they clap and cheer, “You did it! That was great!” Stay a little longer after rehearsal, and there’s often an impromptu jam session and an invitation to dinner because the day was long and everyone’s hungry.
After concerts, everyone lingers because no one wants the connection to end—so it doesn’t. There’s often a jam session afterward where you may learn a few belly dance moves from the violinist or the flute and saxophone player, both who happen to be professional and renowned dancers. It’s not unheard of that members bring homemade dishes that represent a special part of themselves to share with the rest of the ensemble. These aren’t necessarily the reasons I joined MEME—but they’re absolutely the reasons I stay and what makes being in the ensemble memorable for me.
What is your dream meal in your dream setting?
I’m honestly so lucky to have both of my parents and both of my parents-in-law alive and in good health! I’m even luckier that they love to cook and they still love to feed us! I know I’m changing the question a little, but my three dream meals would be homemade 1) pho 2) pozole and 3) pho-zole! (This last one was a beautiful collaboration by my husband who is Vietnamese and my mom who is Mexican).
What do you do to create a healthy work-life balance?
Growing up, my dad always told me to sleep well, eat well, and drink enough water. Like children do, I didn’t listen until my cognitive psychology professor spent an entire lesson on just these three things! So even when I feel very limited on time and incredibly stressed, I try to prioritize sleep, water, and food! Sometimes I don’t get all three, but I try. I also stay connected to friends and family because even difficult moments at work and personally seem a little easier to overcome in community.
Do you have any exciting plans for the summer that you would like to share?
I’m looking forward to learning piano! My sons started playing a year ago, and I mentioned to their teacher that I’ve always wanted to play piano. He responded with the most brilliant thing, “Ok, just add a lesson after theirs and we can give them something to color or play with during your session.” Sometimes people need to hear the obvious thing! So now… I’m learning piano! After a lifetime of playing the flute, I still take a deep breath before each phrase and slowly exhale throughout as if I were playing the same phrase on the flute.
What songs have been on repeat for you recently?
My curated playlist is a real-life depiction of what I’m listening to now; my sons currently approve of these selections!
Click here to listen to Elizabeth's playlist on YouTube.
What advice do you have for our 2025 graduates as they begin their next chapter?
Do things scared. Email that professor or CEO for an informational interview. Put yourself in situations where you aren’t the most intelligent or most capable person so that you can learn and grow. Don’t wait to feel comfortable or confident to do that thing you’ve always wanted to do or learn! And as a therapist, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say, invest in yourself and your well-being by gifting yourself an hour a week with a therapist! If we want to make the world a better place, we owe it to the generations that come after us to unpack and understand the experiences that make us who we are.