Jo Yee Chung, is the founder and Chief Executive of Olympias Music Foundation (OMF), a community-based charity, which amongst other things, offers free and sustained music lessons to children who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Jo, started out as a pianist and academic, undergoing both university and music college, and experiencing different types of music education, however, what really shaped her was some volunteering work in local schools in Manchester. but in this conversation, Jo tells Miche about herself, OMF and how, despite efforts, classical music could be much more inclusive to those it doesn’t always reach. 

We put the classical music world to rights!

For more information about Olympia's Music Foundation:

⁠https://www.olympiasmusicfoundation.com/⁠

Producer: Carlie Foster for Audio Always

Socials:

Insta - @MusicMavericksPod

Twitter - @MusicMavericksP

Michael Betteridge is a composer, working in many environments but mainly has a focus on high quality community music making. He is also the founder and musical director of The Sunday Boys, a low-voiced choir routed in the queer community. This ground-breaking choir are involved in projects that use music to create conversations about many 21st century issues as well as interesting ideas about how to run a 21st century choir. Michael was fascinated by music from a very young age, never really taking the conventional route, despite what may have been a conventional education. This conversation includes how the classical music industry is changing and how we can support adult amateur musicians to be the best they can be. 

We put the classical music world to rights!

For more information on Michael:

https://michaelbetteridge.com/

For more information on The Sunday Boys:

https://www.thesundayboys.com/

Producer: Carlie Foster for Audio Always

Socials:

Insta - @MusicMavericksPod

Twitter - @MusicMavericksP

Nadia Eskandari, although didn’t leave music college very long ago, is forging a career on her own terms. She is the co-creator and viola player of string quartet Vulva Voce, platforming music written by women to live music venues in which you might be more used to seeing an indie, pop or rock band. Nadia chats with inspiring honesty, bringing to life the human side of music-making. She has an unusual playfulness about music and being a musician which makes this a very refreshing chat.

We put the classical music world to rights!

More information on stuff mentioned in the episode:

Vulva Voce: https://www.vulvavoce.com/

Producer: Carlie Foster for Audio Always

Socials:

Insta - @MusicMavericksPod

Twitter - @MusicMavericksP

Michelle Phillips is a Music Psychologist currently working as a senior lecturer at the Royal Northern College of Music. Michelle wears numerous interesting and diverse hats, with a thirst for knowledge that has taken her an unusual route to where she currently sits in the music world. Her main aim is to empower all those with whom she comes into contact through research, ideas and creativity, with her energy and enthusiasm, it's easy to see how she succeeds. Miche and Michelle could have continued this fascinating conversation for hours as they put… the classical music world to rights!  

More information on stuff mentioned in the episode:

Royal Northern College of Music: https://www.rncm.ac.uk

Producer: Carlie Foster for Audio Always

Socials:

Insta - @MusicMavericksPod

Twitter - @MusicMavericksP

Linton Stephens is becoming a household name in classical music circles. Amongst other things, a bassoonist for Chineke, and the Aurora orchestra, Chair of the Musician’s Union equality, diversity and inclusion committee, Broadcaster, known for BBC Radio 3s Classical Fix, illustrator and speaker of his own mind. In this conversation, Miche and Linton deep dive into the problematic term of success and the importance of humanity in music. Linton opens up about his own influences and experiences in this fascinating chat.

TW: miscarriage discussed, if you need support please go to: www.tommys.org