Heather chats with Nicole about moving beyond external expectations and finding a musical path that feels honest, creative and true to who you are.

They also discuss classical training, orchestral pressure, burnout, songwriting, improvisation, teaching, performing with others, and the courage it takes to follow musical dreams that might feel out of reach.

In this episode:

• How Nicole first started learning the harp as a child

• Growing up with classical training and a love for different musical styles

• The pressure and perfectionism of professional orchestral life

• Burnout, sensitivity and learning to trust her own musical instincts

• Finding freedom through freelancing, songwriting and singing

• Why sharing personal creative work can feel so vulnerable

• Playing in bands and discovering a more liberated musical voice

• Nicole’s approach to teaching harp improvisation

• Why supportive people can help you follow dreams that feel impossible

This is an honest and inspiring conversation about creativity, liberation, self-trust, and finding the courage to make music in a way that feels truly your own.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Nicole Müller - Professional Harpist, Composer, and How To Harp Guest Tutor

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow and helps us connect with more harpists around the world!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #ProfessionalHarpist #HarpImprovisation

*****Nicole had some video issues during this podcast so occasionally her video is frozen and replaced her pic*****