The second episode in a three-part series, exploring the issues surrounding low incomes and the classical music world. Does our upbringing hold us back in the profession or propel us to push and subsequently work harder?

Today I am speaking with Emily Adams. Emily is currently studying for her Masters in Musicology at the University of Oxford, where she recently completed her undergraduate studies. She is a keen violinist, currently studying with Paul Barritt. Her musical career has involved both solo and ensemble performances. In 2019, Emily performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Somerset County Youth Orchestra, and throughout her time in Oxford she has enjoyed making the most of the city’s thriving music scene.

Coming from a working-class background, the various scholarships and bursaries she has received, such as Awards for Young Musicians, have been vital in enabling her to further her musical development. Thanks to this support and contributions towards the many costs involved with music education, Emily has been able to continue to benefit from private lessons, masterclasses, and orchestral training.

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This episode marks the start of a new series, Classical Music and Low Incomes- Do They Match?, exploring issues around money and financial background in the classical music world. I speak to three musicians with very different experiences of the music education system within the UK. We speak about the ways in which their financial background has been both a barrier between and an aid towards their place in the music world.

In this first episode I chat to Northern Irish pianist and violinist, Fionnuala Ward. Fionnuala is a recent graduate of the Royal College of Music, where she studied piano with Ashley Wass. She enjoys a diverse musical career and is in demand as a chamber musician, accompanist and orchestral pianist for the European Union Youth Orchestra. Most recently, Fionnuala has been awarded a place on the Foyle Future Firsts development programme from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

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In this episode I speak to composer, pianist and organist, Matt Geer about his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Matt has recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has started his PhD at Queen's University Belfast. Matt talks to me about the process of writing his opera, Sane and Sound, and about how making his disorder and symptoms come to life on stage was a comforting and healing process. We also speak about his faith journey towards profession as a Tertiary in the Society of St Francis and how prayer has become a way of life for Matt.

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In this episode I talk to pianist and composer, Richard Adam Lewis, about his move from the world of business and maths to the music world. Passionate about creativity, Richard is an improvising pianist, writer and coach. After studying maths and following five years as a consultant in London, he’s building a community connecting artists with creative people working in the business world. 

We talk about his journey from maths to music, the links there are between the two and his new project, aimed at creating a space to connect artists with those in business. He also shares his advice for anyone looking at setting up a business.

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International and award-winning violin soloist and chamber musician Elena Urioste talks to me about her journey with yoga, dealing with an injury whilst in college and about why it is that musicians struggle to be vulnerable.

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Today I am all on my own, talking openly about my recent struggles with OCD, the ways in which I often worry I'm oversharing and how to tell the difference between oversharing and authenticity. At the moment, many people are struggling to find work, see a future in the arts and stay positive. I feel you, we are allowed to be angry! Toxic positivity is real and it can diminish the way we really feel.

 I hope you enjoy the rambles, sending you all the love!

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Today I am talking to the pianist Laura Serra about her research whilst on the BSc in Performance Science at the Royal College of Music. She has since set up the initiative Coaching Musicians, which looks to support musicians psychologically. We talk about performance anxiety, what the concept of coaching actually is, the relationship between sports performance and music performance and the idea of being 'psychologically well', to describe a state of being, not necessarily the absence of mental illness. She also talks about her personal journey with yoga and how best to begin looking into mindfulness and meditation to support your mental health.

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Frequently, it can feel like our creative worlds are tightly wrapped around success and the next big project. But what do we do when something unimaginable happens? When our ability to play music and interact with the music world is altered? Today I talk to cellist Laura Armstrong who last October was involved in an accident and has subsequently had to learn to play the cello slowly all over again. We also talk about grief and why it is easier to talk about physical injuries rather than mental issues. 

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I asked for questions on my instagram about anything at all! I, along with my sister Olivia, answer questions of a musical and general life theme. What profession would I choose in an alternate life? What is my five year plan? What do we think about the future of the arts? How to find your soul friends at uni? And more! 

Today I am joined by my dear friend and duo partner, Jasmin Allpress, as we admit our biggest failures and talk about what they've taught us.

Jasmin is a pianist studying with Helen Krizos at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Jasmin and I have known each other since we joined Chethams for sixth form. I've always been so inspired and uplifted by Jasmin's infectious joy and compassion, I enjoyed this conversation so much!

Transcript of this episode

Things Musicians Don't Talk About website: https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.com

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