Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast CHANGE YOUR TUNE
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE STRUGGLE IS REAL with Paul Bruch-Wiens | 27 Mar 2022 | 00:50:02 | |
Paul Bruch-Wiens is a Private Wealth Manager at Quadrant Private Wealth, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he lives with his spouse, two children and still has a deep passion for the performing arts. QUOTES “Singing in close harmony with my family and church community was a way of life. It was something you just did every Sunday.” “After I finished a business degree, the only thing I could do to have gainful employment based on the training was to be a bookkeeper. But I’d already done that for 3 years as a part time job. It wasn’t interesting to me. So instead I studied for a Master of Music.” “There was no job lined up for you coming out of music school, but I adamantly chose not to be a music teacher.” “I got the job (in a bank) and thought it would solve everything. But it didn’t. It was really difficult to come to terms with making the wholesale change. In my heart of hearts I was still a performer and the reality of the situation had not caught up with me. I just didn’t believe it. I perhaps thought I would go back.” “I have all of these things to pull experience from. People don’t necessarily want advice from people who haven’t felt that themselves” “It’s liberating when you find yourself, and let go of who you think you should be.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 21 October 2021 | |||
| CLASS AND CLASSICAL MUSIC with Sadah Webster | 20 Mar 2022 | 00:58:23 | |
A former professional oboe and cor anglais player based in London, Sadah Webster now works as an investigator and intelligence analyst. Investigating whistleblower complaints and misuses of public office. QUOTES “I was halfway through a Bachelor of Music degree when I took a year off to study linguistics and live in Thailand.” “I didn’t know what I was doing, I was petrified all the time and I was burned out.” “Looking back, emotionally, I think the fact that I was advanced as a player quite early on and I got thrown into a lot of stuff which was great for my playing but emotionally I wasn't ready.” “Because I had solely focussed on being an Oboist, I didn’t know anything else.” “I had various attempts at retraining, but a sense of purpose came much later in my emotional journey.” “As a freelancer, you never know why you don’t get booked.” “The context in which we learn perpetuates “there’s something wrong with me” and the same toxic productivity runs through the law school as in music school.” “Assumptions are being made about your work ethic, motivation and ability to use your time. I had been told by various teachers that I was lazy when I couldn't practice more because instead I had to work to earn a living.” “The only tool the teachers have is “well just practice more”. “The work was more stressful than enjoyable, the balance had totally shifted and I was just exhausted.” “The cost benefit analysis of being an oboist doesn’t make sense, but I didn’t know how to make that assessment when I was studying.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 24 October 2021 | |||
| LISTEN WELL with Kate Mrochkovski | 16 Jan 2022 | 00:47:44 | |
Kate studied music at Manchester University. Whilst at uni she took a part-time job at The Bridgewater Hall, a concert hall in Manchester. There, she fell in love with ticketing, data and technology and is now Strategy Director at Supercool, a digital design agency working in the cultural sector. QUOTES
LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 15 August 2021 | |||
| DRAWN ON THE WAY with Sarah Nisbett | 09 Jan 2022 | 00:53:52 | |
A former opera singer and self-taught live illustrator, Sarah Nisbett loves to draw the people, places and things she encounters “on the way.” Her Drawn On The Way project is helping people find the extraordinary in the everyday and to see themselves and others as works of art. Read the transcript. QUOTES “I learned how to draw on the New York subway. It was a strange kind of art school.” “I was curious about people. Who is this person? And that was an experience I liked.” “I had a realisation “what if there was no more work or gigs?” I realised that being successful meant travelling a lot and there’s a toll on your mental health. I didn’t know if that was my future.” “The more successful I was in opera, the high wire got thinner and taller and I thought I don’t know if this (opera) is more important than everything else in life.” “I was always interested in advertising, in the words, pictures and storytelling. I realised I do that as a performer.” “What are the things in myself I would like to get paid for?” “Today I am “playing” the role of competent office worker.” “Your creativity and music is always a part of you, you just need to find a way to let it out.” “Drawing in stolen moments was my oasis.” “I started sharing my work online, to tell a story and to help people have a beautiful experience.” LINKS
IMAGE CREDIT Eian Kantor PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 16 August 2021 | |||
| EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP with Ingrid Martin | 08 Dec 2021 | 00:39:34 | |
Ingrid Martin is a highly sought after conductor and music educator. Ingrid trained in Medicine at Monash University and worked as an emergency physician while maintaining a busy musical life as a Conductor, Horn Player and Violinist. A decision to further her conducting training meant relocating to the University of Minnesota where she completed a postgraduate degree with mentor, Craig Kirchhoff. QUOTES “Being an empathetic person is what makes a successful doctor and what also makes a successful conductor.” “ I realised that actually I’ve done this before, and I have a lot of skills in this area already which only happened because I’d done medicine. If I’d studied music, I wouldn’t have had to make all those opportunities.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 11 January 2017 | |||
| CENTRED IN SOUND with Joel Carnegie | 05 Dec 2021 | 00:42:15 | |
Joel Carnegie is an award winning broadcaster, documentary maker, performer and founder of the international media production house The Space Company. Joel pursued a Performance Degree on Horn from the University of Melbourne and Die Universität für Musik und darstellende Austria, and post graduate study in Communications and Media at RMIT before building his unique career as an entrepreneur, storyteller, performer and musician. QUOTES “There was one track for me, that was finishing Year 12, heading off to the Conservatorium and sailing off into the sunset to become an orchestral musician. That was really what I thought life was going to be like.” “Music needs to speak something of today or needs to connect with someone about something of today. Great music does that and music that doesn’t, perhaps shouldn’t be played.” “There is life beyond music, there is life beyond study and there is life beyond Mozart.” LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 05 January 2017 | |||
| STAYING CHALLENGED with Jennika Anthony-Shaw | 01 Dec 2021 | 00:41:49 | |
Jennika Anthony-Shaw is a Barrister who held the position of Project Manager and Commercial Group Proceedings Coordinator for the Supreme Court of Victoria. Jennika has performance degrees from McGill University and the Manhattan School of Music and built a successful freelance career as a global trotting Cellist before embarking upon the path that would lead her to the law QUOTES “I started out in New York where everyone is really good. There’s 3 or 4 top music schools in the city and you do have to compete for work or create your own work.” “I didn’t want to let myself down. I felt there was a lot of expectation to keep succeeding, keep playing music and to somehow manage to progress my career beyond where it was.” As musicians we like to think we can work anywhere, it is odd to think sometimes you’re prevented from doing that.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 27 December 2016 | |||
| ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE with Katherine Norman | 28 Nov 2021 | 00:31:54 | |
Katherine Norman is the Senior Account Manager, Presenter Services at Arts Centre Melbourne and is responsible for the logistics of over 3,000 events across their 6 venues each year. Katherine pursued degrees in Biochemistry and Music before embarking on a career in venue management which saw her work as Usher Manager at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden before returning to Melbourne. QUOTES “My main and first degree was a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biochemistry. I’d resisted the temptation to study music from about the age of 15. When I was about 20 I just had to bow to it.” “I’ve been fortunate to work with virtually every major performing arts company, certainly that's been through Melbourne and across Australiawhich is an amazing opportunity.” “My music degree, and my science degree, but particularly my music degree has been such an amazing foundation in being willing to try new things.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 20 December 2016 | |||
| MEANS AND MEANING with Dave Melgaard | 24 Nov 2021 | 00:33:08 | |
Dave Melgaard leads a team of testing experts at Idea Science to find optimum solutions for clients and strengthen testing capabilities. Before that, he studied Trumpet at the VCA, Melbourne University and the Royal College of Music in London. He held the position of Trumpet Master with the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Orchestra before returning to Australia to build a new career in business. QUOTES “So many of the skills you learn in music are so useful in business.” “In sales, you can sell a big job or something important and this feeds 4 or 5 or 30 people for the next year. I find meaning in that. It’s not just about me playing the trumpet.” “Now I work in IT and fundamentally, running a band isn’t that dissimilar from running an IT shop.” “As much as you love Puccini, once you’ve played it 400 times it becomes a bit tedious.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 16 December 2016 | |||
| CONCERTS ARE HARDER THAN SURGERY with Tony Prochazka | 21 Nov 2021 | 00:40:47 | |
Tony Prochazka pursued a non-conformist training in both medicine and music. He interrupted his medical career to study Jazz Guitar at the VCA, having played Cello with the Australian Youth Orchestra during his schooling. He studied Classical Cello in Germany and London before building a successful career in cosmetic surgery. QUOTES “By the end of it I was just sold on music and that was really my awakening I guess at just how fantastic it could be.” “I just remember we had some conversations, my parents and I. I said I would like to be a musician, they said it’s a hard life there’s no guarantees.” “The idea of the arc of a musical phrase is very similar to the idea of the construction of the face, or the balance of the face.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 06 December 2016 | |||
| UPLIFT OTHERS with Tony Gray | 17 Nov 2021 | 00:33:55 | |
Tony Gray lives and works in remote Numbulwar, where he is Managing Director and Pilot at AiRemote. Tony designs and delivers development programs in Arnhem Land and Indonesia. Prior to his life as a social entrepreneur, Tony was a professional musician in Melbourne and holds a Bachelor of Music (Improvisation) on Double Bass from the VCA. QUOTES This relates back to music as well, you have to do anything you can to keep you going so you can focus on the one thing and that’s developing jobs and employment opportunities in remote communities.” “I’ve got a degree in improvisation. I’ve got a degree in making things up. In the end, that’s basically life in business. You just make stuff up all the time so you can get enough revenue to keep going.” “It was just an impossible mission, but I took it on and went non-stop sleeping in my car along the way and travelling at night and really early mornings just to get it done.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 30 November 2016 | |||
| SUCCESSFUL COMPROMISE with John Daley | 14 Nov 2021 | 00:40:13 | |
As former CEO of the Grattan Institute, John Daley is one of Australia’s leading public policy thinkers. John graduated from the University of Oxford in 1999 with a DPhil in public law after completing an LLB (Hons) and a BSc from the University of Melbourne in 1990. He has 20 years’ experience spanning policy, academic, government and corporate roles. QUOTES “It teaches you successful compromise, in which everyone gets most of what they want. The whole is indeed greater than the sum of the parts. But everyone probably hasn’t got everything they wanted.” “It’s certainly training for leadership and certainly for policy and politics.” “Obviously it’s something I listen to all the time, it’s not just everyday but it’s most of the time. When you’ve spent that much of your life playing and listening to music it’s never not there.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 22 November 2016 | |||
| PLAY YOUR PART with Daniel Meyers | 13 Mar 2022 | 00:50:04 | |
Daniel Meyers is a bass player, music administrator, and professional fundraiser who currently manages donor relations and annual giving at the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. Before moving into fundraising, Daniel performed regularly as a substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and he was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. QUOTES “I was playing with orchestras that were “the end goal” if you’re searching for a career as an orchestral musician, but I wasn’t finding the connection and focus on the audience and that focus on the audience. That’s what I care about.” “I never heard or rarely heard musicians talk about the experience of the audience. And I felt like the people I was playing with didn’t care that much.” “I don’t think you can expect something that someone does full time, that it can't be a job just some of the time.” “You have this great opportunity and people are congratulating you, your peers are congratulating because you’ve achieved their dream. You feel like you should be on top of the world and you’re not. This is what I was hoping for and it’s really not all that” "It was just a job for a lot of them." LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 08 October 2021 | |||
| TRAIN THE MIND with Geoff Collinson | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:36:11 | |
After a career as principal horn player with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and guest principal with many other orchestras in Australia and overseas, Geoff Collinson found his true calling as a teacher and headed up the brass department at The University of Melbourne. 10 years ago, the digital world provided opportunities to solve problems of geographical isolation in music education and Geoff took the plunge away from a tenured position. People assumed I had given up on creativity but Geoff had never been more creative than through solving business problems. What he learned by being a musician about conquering his fears on the concert stage, the preparation required, and how focusing on his passion for knowledge quells negative thought has taken him to this point today. The creative world and the business world intersect in so many ways and he find myself in a unique position to help others on their journey. QUOTES “I used to suffer so intensely with nerves that I was advised to actually give up the Horn. I couldn’t stand in front of anybody and play without completely falling apart.” “It was basically like starting an instrument from scratch again. So that learning and all the tools I’ve got have given me the persistence to go through all those times where you wake up at 3.30am in the morning worrying about how I’ll feed the family.” “Some of this (business) is far more creative than what I was able to do as a musician, because I never walked over that line of improvising.” LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 15 November 2016 | |||
| LOGIC AND PROBLEM SOLVING with Kylie Weston-Scheuber | 07 Nov 2021 | 00:30:09 | |
Kylie Weston-Scheuber is a Melbourne-based barrister specialising in commercial and administrative law. Through her previous employment, she has extensive experience as an advocate, including in contested hearings, trials, sentences and appeals. She has a PhD in law from the Australian National University. Kylie is available to accept briefs in Victoria and other jurisdictions. She is a member of Greens List. QUOTES “People think of music as being a creative pursuit, and it is. But it also has, I think, a very big logic and problem solving component. And that’s what law ultimately is about.” “It never ceases to amaze me the number of lawyers I meet who have high level music performance skills.” “One of the key ideas behind it (Bottled Snail) is to improve mental wellbeing in the legal profession. As many people know, the creative arts are a great way of doing that.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Penny Manwaring Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Composed by Natasha Pearson Theme Music Performed by Alison McIntosh-Deszcz (soprano), Natasha Lin (piano), and Susan Eldridge (horn). Theme Music Recorded Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio, 3MBS Fine Music in Melbourne in October 2016. With thanks to recording engineer Cheryl Scott. FIRST BROADCAST 08 November 2016 | |||
| CONTRIBUTE AND SERVE with Robert Simonds | 31 Oct 2021 | 00:41:08 | |
After 20 years in the music business, Robert Simonds resigned as principal second violinist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2021. He is now a MC/MPA candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and is seeking to merge his performing arts experience with public service. QUOTES “I wanted to leave the stage on my own terms.” “Add as much value as possible onstage and offstage.” “All large institutions should serve a public function.” “Never stop looking for people to help you.” “At the Rochester Philharmonic I felt very useful because I could add more than just playing the right notes at the right time.” “We confuse our capacity to learn as progress.” “I got lucky there was a person wanting to take me under their wing.” “The message I absorbed at music school was “if you can’t win it, then don’t try it.’” “I am predisposed to get along with people, I’m interested in people.” “I never felt as much interest in having a performing artist on the team as I did at Harvard Kennedy School.” “If you’re not doing it already, and have the means to, go volunteer.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 02 August 2021 | |||
| PLAY AND EXPLORATION with Patrick Tapio Johnson | 24 Oct 2021 | 00:47:54 | |
After a decade and a half as a London-based freelance cellist, Patrick Tapio Johnson has retrained and has just commenced his first role as a software engineer with General Assembly. He hopes this will enable him to provide real, meaningful help to people, while solving some cool problems in the process. QUOTES “After the pandemic, things changed overnight. The pandemic wasn’t the catalyst but it was a nudge.” “Amongst musicians, many had their heads in the sand and were reluctant to take advantage of it (the pandemic).” “I was performing for a lot of people, and searching for a sense of purpose and relevance. In a lot of cases, musicians were not considering how to monetise their skills.” “There were reactions to what was going on but few that seemed constructive.” “Writing code was making me feel more creative than anything I had done in years.” “In tech, there’s a willingness to take people on based on what you think they’re capable of.” “When I had a son, it was a moment in life that I started thinking beyond what the next gig would be. I wondered how I could run both careers in parallel.” LINKS IMAGE CREDIT Kaupo Kikkas PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 26 July 2021 | |||
| NEEDING PREDICTABILITY with Andrew Schwartz | 17 Oct 2021 | 00:44:06 | |
Andrew Schwartz holds a degree from the University of Hartford and pursued a Masters from The Manhattan School of Music in Tuba Performance. He received an MBA from Georgia State University and now works in marketing insights for Central Garden & Pet. He lives in Decatur, GA with his wife and daughter. QUOTES “I could see orchestras filing for bankruptcy, and it was terrifying. I was under the impression that if you make it, you make it. But if the Philadelphia Orchestra is filing for bankruptcy then no one is safe.” “This is the thing I want to do (orchestra concerts), but if I’m asleep at concerts then what are we doing?” “I was barely living above the poverty line in NYC.” “I had no idea what the real world was like.” “If I got an MBA, that would give me two years to figure it all out.” “I don’t know if I’ve gotten over that my identity is what I do.” “My biggest fear was winning a job, the orchestra was bankrupt, I would have to move or there were no other jobs.” “In the real world you need to be a whole person.” “One big thing I took from music is storytelling.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 05 July 2021 | |||
| COMPLEX AND SPECIFIC with Lisa Kobialka | 10 Oct 2021 | 00:36:47 | |
Lisa Kobialka has been at the forefront of some of the most challenging trials in different venues across the country and handled more than 200 litigations. She counsels and represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex intellectual property litigation, including trials and evidentiary hearings in numerous jurisdictions across the United States involving claims for patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition and trademark infringement. Lisa represents clients in a variety of technology-related industries, with a particular emphasis on the energy, computer science and pharmaceutical sectors. QUOTES “My brother and I had no option, it (music) was a life skill as far as we were concerned. We had music from 5am to 2am constantly, that’s all we knew and did.” “I realised they (orchestras) were starting to go bankrupt, I was talking to other musicians and asked ‘what are you going to do’ and they said ‘what else CAN I do I can’t do anything else' and I never felt that way.” “Going to law school was very difficult, it wasn’t an easy transition. I was lucky that I was open minded.” “How am I going to make the facts sing in the most persuasive way.” “How I hear is very different to most people, I’m a very literal person. I hear things very specifically, as a result I probably articulate things very specifically as well.” "Music teachers are very direct and blunt, that is now necessarily how people communicate with each other. I had to learn better about how people communicate outside the music world." “Chamber music is an intense working environment, the same as working with a trial team for a jury. We perfect the work to a point where people could understand where we could go with it.” LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 16 July 2021 | |||
| SUSAN ELDRIDGE In Conversation with Ingrid Martin | 03 Oct 2021 | 00:44:25 | |
Ingrid Martin transforms lives through music. Her life-long mission: to make classical music relevant, interesting and engaging for everyone. Insatiably curious, Ingrid constantly asks "Who is it for? Why are we doing this? How could it be better?" Her answer usually involves challenging norms and ditching long-held traditions to create meaningful experiences for audiences. QUOTES “Probably more people have been to space than have seen me dance. Isn’t that strange because my job as a conductor is to embody the music.” “I realised that many musicians are not connected to the way that emotions live within their body. Maybe the reason I feel safe conducting but not dancing, is because I can hide behind technique and a set of codified moments. But that’s not really about expression.” “Being serious is seen as being professional, but where is the embodiment of lots of other emotions like silliness.” “How can we embrace a much wider idea of what professional musicians are. As soon as you said the word “serious” I thought about all the things I’ve thought of doing in my life that I have told myself not to do because that would not look good or serious as a conductor.” “Coming from a community music background, playing free concerts in a park to anybody that wanted to come meant there was no “cathedral of privilege” of the concert hall. None of the signalling of how to behave existed, people would just clap and shout out if they were having a good time. All of the conventions about how audiences “should’ behave weren’t there in the music I made growing up.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 14 September, 2021. | |||
| FINDING SOLUTIONS with John Culver | 26 Sep 2021 | 00:36:14 | |
John Parr-Culver is a Product Manager at Oracle with a background as a freelance musician and clarinet teacher. John is currently based in Austin, Texas and has performance degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Carnegie Mellon University. Image Credit Cheyenne Parr QUOTES “I got advice on what kinds of adjacent interests to music might be a good way to send my career path down.” “I had spent 15 years thinking I was going to be a musician, so I had a bit of an identity crisis.” “I knew some musicians who were working at an Apple store, they encouraged me to apply. It was great to work with people who had done the thing that I wanted to do next.” “A challenge I had to overcome, as a musician transitioning out of music is that I had this idea that as long as I worked really hard and became best at what I do that I would become successful. That had nothing to do with appreciating the unique talents and skills that others brought into the work that they did.” “In that inside sales role, I cared a lot about understanding more deeply the problems customers faced and the kinds of solutions we offered to them.” “Problem evaluation and translating those needs into technical requirements relates to my musical experience, to score analysis and being able to extract what musical interpretive decisions should be made.” “Dealing with failure. On a small scale, like not winning an audition or something like the fact that I didn’t pursue a career as a clarinetist, failure is an important thing to experience. Failure allows us to understand what went wrong, why it went wrong and take those lessons and apply them to future experiences. It’s how we deal with failures that shape us in the journeys that we take in our lives.” “For musicians who have determined what direction they want to take, it’s never been easier to skill up in different areas on Udemy or LinkedIN.” “For people who have lived the practice room lifestyle, there’s incredible value in all the diverse skills and experiences that others bring to the table. It’s so important to appreciate that as early as possible.” LINKS IMAGE CREDIT Cheyenne Parr PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 10 May 2021 | |||
| EMBRACING AMBIGUITY with Ralph Bathurst | 19 Sep 2021 | 00:42:10 | |
Dr Ralph Bathurst is a musician who performs orchestral music (viola) and light jazz (piano). This background in music making informs his primary interests which focus on how organisations can become more humane places where people can discover a sense of freedom and creativity. His work life experiences in management and leadership within arts and social organisations translate directly into his teaching and research practice. Primarily his emphasis is on the arts, particularly music and the visual arts, and how they encourage collaborative leadership approaches and organisational development. QUOTES “I have always been a performer, it’s always come back to performance.” “The rigours of performing shuts down my appreciation of the music. I’m most alive with music when I’m not having to play it.” “I had met the two ambitions (conductor and minister), so what could I do next?” “I link the practice of music making to the study of managing and leading.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 15 June 2021 | |||
| SOUND CONNECTIONS with Anna Schaum | 12 Sep 2021 | 00:40:40 | |
Anna Schaum is a professional violist and licensed counselor who works at the intersections of psychology, neurobiology, social and ecological change, in both clinical and corporate settings. She is Director of Ecosocial Development for an international photography business, and the founder of The Center for Sound Relationships, a resiliency studio in Portland Oregon. QUOTES “I think of myself as an instrument when I’m working with people.” “Sometimes I’m like a tuning fork, other times I’m listening to the other voices in the room and helping them to coordinate.” “I realised I needed to do more than play music, something had been broken up in my accident.” “I started doing volunteer work, looking for how I could use the ability to listen and connect with people without the instrument.” “We have an opportunity and responsibility to find ways to ease up on that individualism, work collectively and lift up voices that are precious.” “In order to do that, we need to get out of our ego’s path.” “Egos are to support a creative mind, not run the show.” “We can’t make change only in our heads, as musicians if we just sat and thought about the music there would be no sound. It has to come through the body.” “The orchestra told me I would need to choose between my interest in psychology, and my interest in remaining employed (in so many words).” “My body has always been part of it. My classical training, especially when it came to taking auditions and being evaluated for it, realising this is how I’m going to make a living and survive, that’s when I cut off from my body.” “I’d never been somebody who enjoyed going to orchestra concerts, I’d rather be doing it.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 17 May 2021 | |||
| SPEAKING UP with Sarah Denholm | 06 Mar 2022 | 00:45:34 | |
Sarah Denholm was originally a classical pianist who moved into a successful career as a speaking and presentation skills coach, built after suffering from performance anxiety. Sarah’s pathway back to comfort on stage was learning the art of public speaking. She now helps others globally through her Speakers Confluence® confidence and influence coaching and training programs. QUOTES On performing and imposter syndrome “I found it so stressful, and that’s still in my body.” On being seen “I’ve had to learn how to overcome being looked at.” On self-healing and finding your voice “I was determined to move forwards, I needed safety so much.” On helping clients “When you’re speaking with fluency, you’re not fighting yourself.” On your journey “I miss what I used to do but I don’t regret a moment of it. What I’m doing now is what I’m meant to be doing.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 16 September 2021 | |||
| A NEW CODE with Anna McDougall | 05 Sep 2021 | 00:39:34 | |
Anna McDougall is a full-stack developer with a passion for JavaScript. She is known as "that dev who used to be an opera singer". In addition to her upcoming position as Junior Software Engineer at Novatec Consulting GmbH, Anna is also a tech blogger, YouTube creator, and public speaker. QUOTES “I had to go into every situation looking for, and wanting to find the gaps in my knowledge. And the things I'm bad at .The only way I'm going to get better is to find out what those are and work on those consistently over time. That’s a lesson I learned from opera.” “It can often be a strength to be the odd one out.” “I was loving the day to day work (of opera) but I started thinking more long term.” I know there’s a logical, problem solving part of my brain I’m not using every day.” “I wanted more than to be more than one piece in the machine.” “Working a desk job is not nearly as fun but long term, I feel like I’m moving and that’s what’s important.” “Imposter syndrome is something that tech and music have in common.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins RECORDED Recorded on 07 June 2021 | |||
| IN CONVERSATION Susan Eldridge with Ingrid Martin | 29 Aug 2021 | 00:33:03 | |
Ingrid Martin transforms lives through music. Her life-long mission: to make classical music relevant, interesting and engaging for everyone. Insatiably curious, Ingrid constantly asks "Who is it for? Why are we doing this? How could it be better?" Her answer usually involves challenging norms and ditching long-held traditions to create meaningful experiences for audiences. QUOTES “I’m seeking other people who’ve had a similar experience to me, they’ve left classical music because it wasn’t serving them well.” "I felt so alone when I left classical music. I felt so ashamed. I grieved for a decade and a half, so I’m seeking to find colleagues who've had a similar experience to share what that was like." "I felt like I was going to let other people down, and their (the musician’s) need was never in the conversation. It was all about the expectation and investment from others, not the dream of the musician for themselves." "A damaging attitude of “you’re really talented, to not do something with that talent is wasteful.” That is really problematic as an expectation of other people." "What I’ve come to learn about myself from doing this podcast is that I’m angry and hurt and furious at higher education. And that’s coming from my experience, but that’s not everywhere. So how do I grapple with that, I didn’t have a good time. But lots of other people do have a good time." "The biggest challenge is that I don’t want to stay feeling shameful, feeling like I’ve failed and I have no value. That’s how I feel when I think about my learning experiences as a musician." "Trying to be truthful. I’ve been trying to do that this year. The LinkedIN profile and the website all look professional, but it’s a completely different story to how I feel about myself and the story I tell myself about my worth. I’m trying to close that gap a little bit. " LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins RECORDED Recorded on 25 August, 2021. | |||
| AUDIENCE OBSESSED with Jesse Livingston | 22 Aug 2021 | 00:40:01 | |
Jesse Livingston has a Bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory and a Master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Ithaca College. He then transitioned into user research which eventually brought him and his family to San Francisco, CA. For the past 5 years, he has worked at LinkedIn and Netflix but is now undergoing yet another career transition; because… why not? QUOTES “My wrestle with classical music was, I didn't have a sense that people wanted to do things in new ways.” “The tech world was more open to change and trying new things.” “The addiction to suffering, you saw that all the time.” “Handicapping our own music making by learned helplessness.” “I walked into the interview, I was able to use the core skills as a musician in that interview to convince them to hire me and that I would be a valuable asset even though I had no experience.” “Understanding the human experience is really familiar.” “Finding patterns amidst a complex system is the biggest skill I use as a designer and researcher” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins RECORDED Recorded on 21 June, 2021. | |||
| STAY CURIOUS with Erik Lautier | 15 Aug 2021 | 00:44:58 | |
Erik Lautier is a former professional actor and opera singer who parlayed a web design business serving performing artists in the early 2000s into a highly successful career as an ecommerce and marketing executive at publicly-traded retail companies. Today, he’s an entrepreneur, an emerging composer, and a dad. QUOTES “The definition of making it on Broadway is doing the same show for potentially years at a time. And that terrified me because I didn’t see another way.” “I’m going to teach myself web design so I can build a site for my performance work, others saw it and started to pay me to do that for them.” “I needed an exclamation point after my performance career, to show I had skills and that ended up being an MBA.” “It dawned on me that what was truly unique about me was this background that was completely unconventional… they (MBA colleagues) saw value in that even if I didn't at the time.” “The marriage of technical and creative is a gift that musicians have that they don’t realise they have. That is extraordinarily valuable in business or another context.” “When people ask me what they should I do, I say “just do something, anything you’re passionate about” Just get started.” “Being able to pay singers to make their art was very gratifying.” “I wasn’t afraid to fail and I wasn’t afraid to look like an idiot. And that’s the key. You can’t be worried about appearances on this kind of journey.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins RECORDED Recorded on 05 April, 2021. | |||
| FIT TO PERFORM with Caroline Juster | 08 Aug 2021 | 00:41:00 | |
Caroline Juster is a personal trainer and online fitness coach living in Chicago, Illinois. She helps busy millennials get strong and lose weight without fad diets or gimmicks. Caroline received a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, where she studied trombone under Michael Mulcahy and others. QUOTES “Music school was challenging, I don’t think I was emotionally prepared for the things I was going to encounter there.” “At music school, the prospect of having to make money and win auditions changed things for me.” “At grad school I started falling even more out of love with music.” “If somebody left the (music) program, to pursue something else, there was a shame thing. I saw that and absorbed that for so long” “The way (music) lets me see the world and the way that I appreciate connections between different fields.. gives me fresh eyes.” “There was so much pain associated with music that I knew I needed a big break.” “I was in bad shape, I thought I had nothing to offer. But that wasn’t true at all.” Trust that you really do have valuable experience that can translate to other career paths, even if they're unconventional and you can’t see them.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins RECORDED | |||
| TOOLS FOR EXPRESSION with Jeff Miller | 21 Jul 2021 | 00:37:25 | |
Jeff Miller’s first career as a professional musician has had an enormous influence on both his furniture designs and the way he makes that furniture - something he’s been doing for the last 37 years. Music has also impacted the way he teaches, but probably not his writing of books and articles. Read the transcript on Medium. QUOTES “No amount of practice gets you around yourself.” “I was never a composer in music, but I feel that as a furniture designer that I’m a composer.” “Having learned music, it seemed so much easier to learn something else.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins RECORDED
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| MONEY MATTERS with Tiffany Soricelli | 27 Feb 2022 | 00:53:34 | |
ABOUT TIFFANY
QUOTES “At the end of first semester, I was looking around thinking about the professionals I had worked with from all different ages and backgrounds. I thought that if I wanted to add something, what might that be? I was interested in arts admin and thought if I understand what managers want then I could craft myself to navigate that sphere.” “ What was eye opening was that backstage at Carnegie Hall looks the same as backstage as anywhere else. Eye opening to see the reality of a thing I had held sacred in my mind.” “Living in Manhatten on $26K meant I was tired of choosing between rent or groceries. So I went to a headhunter and went to a hedge fund. They doubled my salary overnight. I thought “what is this world”.” “What I thought was a means to an end, turned out to be life changing.” “I had a lightbulb moment in a donor meeting, talking about their giving to the institution. I thought if everybody had access to this level of planning, this team of experts behind them then we could literally create a whole new generation of philanthropists and everybody could achieve their goals. What would I need to do that?.” “So much of what I do is healing relationships with couples or individuals and their interactions with money.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 11 October 2021 | |||
| DOUBLE MAJORING with Michael Lowenstern | 20 Feb 2022 | 00:54:51 | |
Michael Lowenstern has spent 15 years as a professional bass clarinetist specializing in avant garde jazz, and 15 years as a professional brand marketer specializing in data-driven creative strategy. Those journeys have two things in common: They are both niche corners of their respective markets, and they are both things that most people couldn't care less about. He's currently a Principal Creative Director for Amazon. QUOTES “After music school when I turned up in NY, I stared at the phone. It took about 7 years to establish myself and I was doing the work I always wanted with Steve Reich, John Zorn and Peter Sekin. But I wasn’t making much. “I always had ‘double majoring’ in life, it started as a temp and then worked in advertising.” “I was driving on the New Jersey turnpike at midnight, having an existential conversation. I just played Beethoven for the millionth time, I hadn’t seen my kid in 3 days because I also have a day job with night gigs. Would I rather play Beethoven and fulfil that destiny for the rest of my life or would I rather watch my kid grow up.” (2005) “Now I’m able to feel fulfilled as a musician and have a second job” “I landed in a great spot by dumb luck” “The critical thinking part is not about being a clarinet player (singer, pianist, composer) it’s about being a musical contributor. If you're not contributing, you're taking. And if you're not empathetic, you don't know how to give. And if you don't do that, then you're not part of the solution that's pushing music forward.” “if you’re successful at more than one thing, there’s precedent for that. Not to compare myself, but there are a lot of people in history who’ve been good at more than one thing.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 03 September 2021 | |||
| INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS with Angel Lezak | 13 Feb 2022 | 00:56:21 | |
Angel Lezak is a patent prosecutor with 15 years of prosecution experience who has been able to successfully leverage the knowledge and experience she gained at the USPTO to develop and execute creative, effective strategies for prosecuting both new and problematic patent applications to issuance. As part of her practice, Angel develops and manages patent portfolios for new and existing clients. Additionally, Angel analyzes existing patent families to determine the value and strength of pending and acquired claim sets. Angel's methods expedite prosecution and minimize prosecution history. QUOTES “I had a parent who was concerned about how music would translate into income but I never seemed to have that worry.” “My choice to go to law school had a lot to do with experiences I had. As a graduate composer from Eastman, I was writing music for a new Jim Henson production. Jim passed away and it was a struggle to get the scores back. I thought “Wow that’s pretty powerful. I can help others with this.” “My interest in law, honesty, fairness, truth and integrity came from my grandmother. She believed in me.” “In engineering school, the majority are introverted types who don’t particularly care for change. Also my dad had a PhD in math, anytime something changed it threw him off and made him go sideways. A lot of the people I work with are the same way but in engineering school I found myself convincing others that the world will not fall apart if they make changes because the change makes sense.” “Music has given me the courage to do things that others might not be comfortable with but I've always known worked. Also kindness, I always try to help others. Music has made me like that. “I love making my clients look good, I love getting them tonnes of patents. They go to their board of directors and look amazing, it’s like I wrote you the perfect piece for you to perform and get applause.” LINKS PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 03 September 2021 | |||
| SEARCH FOR BALANCE with Jackson Harnwell | 06 Feb 2022 | 00:55:14 | |
Jackson Harnwell is a former singer and conductor, having studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and worked with artists including Anthony Warlow, David Hobson, Helena Dix, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Yvonne Kenny. Today, Jackson oversees the clinical training of medical and health discipline students at the University of Melbourne, following a 10-year career in higher education. QUOTES “Church choir was an amazing opportunity that connected with me. To be able to create on my own, bond with others, sing in a group and share the emotion.” “I have memories of my choir master having to settle me down because the church choir went to stand, they're all very stoic and grim faced as they sing perfectly constructed vowels and I wanted to dance. I wanted to move around and express that emotion that was inside me.” “I started to have some self doubt, maybe there’s more work that I need to do that I didn’t understand I needed to do.” “Going into university, my perspective was that I was very good. That changed quickly when I became part of a cohort of people that, in my mind, singing came easier to.” “No matter how hard I worked, how much I did, I couldn’t seem to overcome some of these hurdles.” “People really identified that one of my skills was that I could jump into unknown territory and be really crystal clear on the outcome that I wanted to achieve.” “It’s probably only in the last three or four years, I've been able to recognize and accept just how much my creative self influences the work that I do, and is valuable to the organization and that it's not something that should be kept separate.” “I realised if I was going to make a living from performing, I knew how much work that would be. But what did “making it” look like? It means taking gigs that you don’t want because you need to pay the bills and you don’t get to choose what performance opportunities come up. That wasn’t for me. The idea of this thing that I loved so much becoming a chore was terrifying.” “The pandemic has really brought to the fore my performing background. I’ve identified that I thrive in a crisis, because I'm so used to not knowing what's around the corner, not knowing what might happen on stage.” “The saddest thing that I have seen, with some incredibly talented, passionate musicians and performers, is that they leave it too late and lose the love of it. Eventually they're forced into a career transition and they cannot bring themselves to engage with their creative self anymore and that is an awful thing.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 27 August 2021 | |||
| DEALING WITH FEELINGS with Ian Anderson Gray | 30 Jan 2022 | 00:50:42 | |
Ian Anderson Gray is the founder of the Confident Live Marketing Academy and is host of the Confident Live Marketing Podcast. He helps entrepreneurs to level up their impact, authority and profits by using live video confidently. As well as being a geek, husband, and dad to two kids, Ian is also a professional singer and lives near Manchester in the UK. QUOTES “I'd get very bored very easily I was doing the same thing all the time. And it was the same thing with music, I needed to do other things.” “Writing a blog changed my life. And I had this bit of an identity crisis, because I wasn't sure “was I a musician or was I something else?” I wasn't really quite sure.” “I felt really guilty because I didn't really want to go into opera. I felt like I was somehow a second class singer, because I didn't want to do that. “ “I had a real issue with my self-esteem and with depression which I know a lot of people do. I had to go through a massive mindset shift, which has taken a long time.” “In my experience of those of top name music schools, they are not an emotionally safe place to be if you're already at risk. If you are different or you're trying to figure it out, it’s just not safe to be there. “As musicians, our job is to translate and transfer emotion to the audience. But we're never taught how to have those emotions safely and what to do with them if they're overwhelming to you.“ “I've realized suddenly that all of that training that I did as a musician wasn't a waste, and it was all coming together. And it was just a wonderful moment. And so it was at that point where I realized that actually Yes, live video is what I want to do. I want to teach people to do that.” “My identity as a musician doesn't have to be connected to a job.” “There are so many musicians in the creative world. When I went to Social Media Marketing World, 30 40% of the people there are musicians.” LINKS
PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 16 August 2021 | |||
| DESIGNING WITH EMPATHY with Joshua Dema | 23 Jan 2022 | 00:48:59 | |
Joshua Dema is Melbourne based Cellist and Digital Designer. By day he is a Digital Accessibility Consultant for a company called Intopia. By night he is a Cellist who can be heard playing music from Pachelbel to Piatti to Panic at the Disco and everything in between. QUOTES “I had this idea in mind of finding a backup career, but it needed to be something I was passionate about.” “The more auditions I took, the more I kept failing them. I enjoying it less and less… I was so locked into this mindset of if I didn’t achieve this goal (orchestral job) I was failing everybody.” “I started noticing the performances I liked were the ones where I was making decisions about the process.” “I came across a thing called UX design. It involves empathy for users, practicality of the product and usability of design. That really fit my mentality.” “Everyone I talked to from a non-music background was fascinated by trained musicians. It’s a really good talking point in job interviews.” “I’ve come to realise that creativity is everywhere. Just because there’s not a performance doesn’t mean there’s not creativity” “The outcome (of a job application) is not telling me how good I am at what I do.” “When I do pick up my cello, it’s because I want to play it, not because I have to practice.” “The more I removed money from music, the more I enjoyed it.” LINKS
IMAGE CREDIT Jacinta Keefe PODCAST TEAM Production Support from Molly Jenkins Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 23 August 2021 | |||
| NEW SERIES with Susan Eldridge | 16 Nov 2024 | 00:23:43 | |
Welcome back! This episode introduces the eight guests for this season and gives you a chance to listen to sneak clips from the episodes.
IMAGE CREDIT Lulu & Lime PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
Recorded on 08 November 2024 | |||
| Jonas Anderson | 23 Mar 2025 | 00:50:06 | |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY This episode was recorded in Tāmaki Makaurau. I acknowledge the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and all iwi of this region. I honour the Indigenous people, their land, waters, and traditions. I also acknowledge their ancestors, the guardians of the past, and their present leaders. ABOUT JONAS Jonas spent a decade supporting orchestras, ballet, and theatre in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand as a stage and production manager. He is now a peer worker for autistic youth, occasionally consults on disability access, and is completing a Masters of Speech Pathology. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jonas Anderson as we explore his remarkable career transition from arts administration to pursuing a Master's in Speech Pathology. Jonas shares the motivations behind his mid-career shift, reflecting on his passion for helping others with speech, communication, and swallowing issues. With a background as a stage and production manager, Jonas draws connections between his past experiences with orchestras and opera companies and his current studies, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and quality of life in his new field. Listen in as Jonas recounts the pivotal moments that influenced his career path, including his work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and his decision to pursue a graduate diploma in human resource management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This journey highlighted the challenges and limitations within arts administration, leading Jonas to recognize the misalignments within the sector and inspiring him to create inclusive opportunities that celebrate all voices. His experiences promoting First Nations artists and supporting self-advocacy have been instrumental in shaping his new focus. Susan joins the discussion to highlight the importance of balancing work, trauma, and personal life. Together, they explore how creativity intersects with healthcare, underscoring the role of empathy and understanding in both fields. The episode concludes with a reflection on the power of positive work culture, emphasizing gratitude and the impact of bringing out the best in colleagues. This engaging dialogue offers valuable insights into career transitions, creativity, and the pursuit of a fulfilling professional life. LINKS Find Jonas on LinkedIN
IMAGE CREDIT (c) Latitude Creative, 2021
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
RECORDED Recorded on 11 November 2024 | |||
| Holly Mathieson | 16 Mar 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY This episode was recorded in Tāmaki Makaurau. I acknowledge the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and all iwi of this region. I honour the Indigenous people, their land, waters, and traditions. I also acknowledge their ancestors, the guardians of the past, and their present leaders. ABOUT HOLLY Holly Mathieson enjoyed an award-winning career as a conductor, regularly working with opera houses, ballet companies and orchestras in Europe, Australasia and North America, and recording for BBC, CBC and Decca. She recently retrained as a Software Engineer and Web Developer, and now runs Scordatura, a digital company building tools for music, musicians and audiences. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Tech entrepreneur and music director Holly Mathieson reveals how she’s orchestrating a new harmony between classical music leadership and digital innovation. Holly offers an insider's look at her journey from the traditional world of conducting to the dynamic realm of tech, where she’s building platforms to empower classical music enthusiasts. Her innovative approach during the pandemic and her experiences in Canada and the UK illustrate the exciting evolution of music leadership, as she champions shared leadership within orchestras and reimagines the conductor's role. Listeners will gain a unique perspective on the parallels between music and coding as Holly reflects on her transition from ballet to tech. She shares her contemplative journey through the challenges of leaving behind familiar artistic environments and connections, and her curiosity about the vibrant personalities she'll encounter in the tech industry. Holly’s insights offer a compelling look at the personal and professional impacts of anxiety, the relief the pandemic inadvertently provided, and the clarity it brought to her life as she navigated significant transitions with grace and courage. The conversation takes an inspiring turn as Holly discusses the creation of safe spaces for musical expression and leadership development. Her transformative work with the Nevis Ensemble and orchestras in Canada showcases the power of fostering supportive environments and challenging traditional hierarchies. Through candid reflections on vulnerability and reimagining possibilities, Holly not only offers a refreshing perspective on leadership but also highlights the profound personal and collective growth that can emerge within the creative community. LINKS www.instagram.com/scordatura_digital/ www.facebook.com/ScordaturaDigital www.linkedin.com/in/hollymathieson/ www.hollymathieson.com www.scordatura.io
IMAGE CREDIT Martin Stewart
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
RECORDED Recorded on 22 November 2024 | |||
| BRIDGES NOT WALLS with Matteusz Jagiełło | 25 Jan 2025 | 00:40:14 | |
Mateusz was born and raised at the dawn of the internet and digital revolution. A camera is not only an instrument in his hands – it’s also his weapon of choice in destroying people’s insecurities. He simply refuses to take photos without a deeper, more organic, and authentic connection.
QUOTES On how rigid expectations limit individuality Mat explains how the traditional music education system discourages individual expression and creativity, pushing musicians to conform to specific interpretations. He reflects on the inherent conflict this created, saying, "I always play other people's music… it’s not my music. And then, even if I have my own personal interpretation… I cannot play like that because… I’m never going to win a job."
On freedom and self expression Mat’s move into photography brought with it a renewed passion that he didn’t experience in his musical training. He states, "Studying philosophy… connected to it, and then the same became about music… I got just interested… and started craving more of it." On embracing connection over ego Mat speaks to a transformation in his approach to art and work, shifting from a self-centered focus to one centered on connection and service to others. He says, "To me, art in general is about building bridges and not walls."
On listening and presence to build trust For Mat, the art of listening has become central in his work, especially in building trust with clients in boudoir photography, which requires sensitivity. He explains, "The thing I'm most grateful for from music is listening...the more I do [photography], the more I realize that it's much more about listening than looking."
LINKS Find Mateusz on his website and Facebook
IMAGE CREDIT Konrad Rudowicz
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
RECORDED Recorded on 08 November 2024 | |||
| AN AUTHENTIC JOURNEY with Lisa Tamagini | 18 Jan 2025 | 00:44:12 | |
Lisa Tamagini is a New York City based Vocal Technique instructor. After a nearly 30 year singing career, the global pandemic’s impact on the industry as a time to delve into her passion for inspiring midlife women to embrace this chapter with vitality, style and a zest for reinvention. She expresses this branch of her teaching through her social platforms @lisatandthecity and @theproageproject which is a collaboration with 5 other influencers in the Midlife Space.
QUOTES On Embracing a Non-Linear Journey
The Transformative Power of Teaching
Boredom as a Guide in Creative Endeavors LINK
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
RECORDED Recorded on 04 November 2024 | |||
| SIMPLE CLARITY with Kaz Krasovskis | 11 Jan 2025 | 00:47:40 | |
With his signature sensitive, organic approach to landscape design, Kaz has designed countless beautiful gardens throughout Melbourne and regional Australia. Informed by experience working in prestigious gardens in Europe including ‘Great Dixter’ and ‘Hermannshof’, Kaz creates gardens tailored to local Australian conditions, with a fresh, international perspective.
QUOTES
On balancing accessibility with depth in communication Kaz discusses the skill of simplifying complex ideas to make them accessible to different audiences but also highlights the challenge of feeling that, in doing so, one might dilute the depth of the content. This insight reflects the tension educators and communicators face between clarity and substance. “You’re sort of making the information so digestible and so relatable that it almost appears like you’re not delivering anything at all.”
On navigating career choices and fulfillment Kaz shares a personal experience of realizing that certain career paths might not be fulfilling in the long term, even after significant training and effort. His insight underlines the importance of reassessing one’s happiness and alignment with the chosen work, especially when it may become repetitive or limiting. “As much as I absolutely hated it, because I really wanted to have a career that I could continue on with, I decided that [Alexander Technique] wasn’t going to be my career.”
On the impact of personal setbacks on professional choices Kaz reveals how an ending personal relationship led him to reconsider his professional path. This insight illustrates the profound effect personal life events can have on career decisions, reminding us that professional journeys are often deeply intertwined with personal experiences. “It was the end of a relationship… and I think it had become clear to me that Alexander Technique was not going to be something that was going to work for me.”
LINKS Find Kaz on his website, Instagram or Facebook
IMAGE CREDIT Alexander Sartor PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
Recorded on 01 November 2024 | |||
| MEDICINE FOR MY SOUL with Sonia Baldock | 04 Jan 2025 | 00:50:28 | |
Sonia began playing violin at the age of 9 and knew it would be a part of her life forever. After 15 years, however, she made the shift to nursing. She now has the best of both worlds - a job she loves, and a hobby that she is passionate about. And a renewed love of music.
QUOTES
“I've learned to become very courageous because it turns out what I want is not necessarily what the world has planned for me.”
On financial insecurity “I realised that probably the last year or so had turned into picking up gigs just because they would pay my rent, not because they were musically satisfying.”
On realising care could be a career “I said, I'll never be a nurse because I'm a germaphobe. Long story short, I became really unwell. My nervous system was chronically activated and I was hospitalised a couple of times. I thought maybe I'll become a doctor. Maybe I'll study medicine.”
On finding a love of science “I wanted to be a cardiac nurse. I really liked it because the patients were generally quite physically well. I understand how the heart works, you know it's a pump, and it's electrics. It makes sense to me. But when things go wrong they go wrong big. And as a performer, I like a bit of drama and really getting into the nitty gritty of learning new things. So I went back to uni and realised science is amazing!”
On playing with Corpus Medicorum “So I didn't know at the time I was only playing professionally that I was just in the middle of all of this nervous system hyperactivation. I didn't know until I picked up my violin again in this group and played again that I'd lost the joy, and now I have it back.”
LINKS Find Sonia on LinkedIN or Instagram PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
Recorded on 21 October 2024 | |||
| IMPACT AND INSIGHT with Lisa Bauer | 14 Dec 2024 | 00:47:57 | |
Lisa's life through high school was dedicated to becoming a violinist. But her time at New England Conservatory uncovered her love for "making things happen", leading her through multiple career changes. In every role, Lisa's musical training has always played a part in making her "dream impact": designing systems that empower collaboration.
QUOTES On the pressure of fulfilling others' dreams. “It took me a while... to not feel like a failure. Having gone to a music school, and then, not having come out as an active performer. ” On the importance of seeking dream impact, not a dream job. “When I'm looking for a new job, I want to make sure it’s a place where experimentation and exploration is encouraged and embraced, so I can make mistakes, and come out stronger on the other end.” On the importance of finding personal fulfillment in her career. “I was pleasantly surprised to discover that people were actually intrigued by my music background. They found that actually helped me stand out from the candidates.”
LINKS Find Lisa on LinkedIN New England Conservatory Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department, founded by Angela Beeching and formerly led by Rachel Roberts New England Conservatory Community Engagement and Professional Studies Department, led by Tanya Maggi
IMAGE CREDIT
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
Recorded on 04 October 2024 | |||
| ALIVE INSIDE with Vicky Hart | 07 Dec 2024 | 00:43:38 | |
Victoria Hart is the Founder and Director of A Gathering of Minds, an innovative, online program for people with early stage memory loss. A Gathering of Minds meetings provide fun and intellectually stimulating programs that engage, intrigue, enliven, and reconnect people with their authentic selves.
QUOTES On the connection to voice and self “Losing one's voice is much more than losing the ability to sing.You lose your orientation to yourself. And I had not been informed that this was going to happen.So it was quite a deep dive into feeling desperate. I could have left singing, I could have gone into musicology, but I wanted my voice. I wanted my voice back, and I was willing to fight for it." On voice health and wellbeing “I'm not interested in the prettiest sound you could make. I'm interested in the healthiest sound you can make. And if that's uglier today, I don't care, because the potential for the healthy voice is limitless. But if you are 17 years old and stuck on making the prettiest sound you can make as a 17-year-old, you're not gonna grow.” On working with people with dementia "As a musician, as a singer, as a teacher, the deepest listening that you can do, listening for something that I can grab onto and pull forward in these people, and it's like buried treasure. I mean, the stuff that comes out of people is, and sometimes a witty, witty comment.”
LINKS Find Vicky at A Gathering of Minds or on LinkedIN Alive Inside documentary
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering from Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
Recorded on 30 August 2024 | |||
| ELEGANT NONSENSE with Nick Hall | 30 Nov 2024 | 00:46:07 | |
Nick Hall (otherwise known as Anita Wigl’it) is arguably one of New Zealand’s most popular Drag Queens. With a career that spans both the screen and stage Wigl’it is constantly travelling New Zealand and further afield delighting audiences with her special brand of comedy and outrageous personality.
QUOTES On being a childish adult And I feel like when we're growing up, our parents often say ‘Oh, you've got to behave! Don't act so stupid. Grow up’. And drag is the opportunity to be like, no, actually, I'm gonna be really stupid. I'm going to act like a child, and I'm going to bring my audience with me.”
On being your own manager “I'm all by myself, and doing everything by myself. But then I realised, actually, I think it's the most wonderful thing because I’m in control of my future. And I can do everything that I want to. The reason I self manage myself is because there's no one in the world that has my best interests at heart other than myself.”
On giving it all “Sometimes we’ll have a night and the audience don’t seem very enthused, then afterwards they say ‘This was the best night we’ve ever had.’”
LINKS Find Nick on Anita Wiglet or Instagram
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
Recorded on 14 October 2024 | |||
| David Khafagi | 27 Apr 2025 | 00:47:20 | |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY This episode was recorded in Tāmaki Makaurau. I acknowledge the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and all iwi of this region. I honour the Indigenous people, their land, waters, and traditions. I also acknowledge their ancestors, the guardians of the past, and their present leaders. ABOUT DAVID David is Principal Trumpet with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed with the Tasmanian, Queensland and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras. He studied trumpet at the Queensland and Elder Conservatories, and also privately with Yoram Levy in Tasmania and Hannes Laeubin in Munich. Before earning a full-time position in the ASO, David enjoyed a12-year career in Orchestral Management and Production. David is married to ASO violinist, Janet Anderson, with whom he has two children, Ella and Billy. ABOUT THIS EPISODE David’s story takes a different path from many of our previous guests—rather than stepping away from performing, his journey is one of rising through the ranks within the orchestral world. We dive into his experiences with auditions and trials, exploring how years of working with the orchestra in various roles prepared him for this career-defining moment. David reflects on what it means to join an orchestra where he already felt at home, balancing the comfort of familiarity with the intense pressure of auditions. Our conversation unpacks the emotional weight of auditions and the value of honest, constructive feedback. We explore how musicians navigate intense scrutiny, learning to address critiques while holding onto their strengths. David shares the mix of relief and elation that came with finally securing his position after multiple attempts, underscoring the role of self-belief and internal readiness in meeting artistic expectations. Beyond performance, we also explore the less conventional career pathways in music—how stepping into operational roles within an orchestra can provide a fresh perspective. With experience on both sides, David challenges traditional boundaries between musicianship and administration, offering insights into the reality of balancing personal and professional life, particularly when both partners are musicians. Finally, we highlight the often unseen contributions of orchestra administrators, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, gratitude, and community in sustaining a thriving musical career. David’s story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the many ways musicians shape the orchestral world.
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 06 December 2024 | |||
| Jessica Wilkins | 20 Apr 2025 | 00:42:58 | |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was recorded. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and I recognise their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture. Sovereignty was never ceded—this always was and always will be Aboriginal land. ABOUT JESSICA "I am an oboist turned software developer. When I was a musician, I founded and ran JDW Sheet Music and performed all throughout Southern California. As a developer, I create well maintained solutions that address business challenges. My hobbies include reading, and practicing oboe for fun." ABOUT THIS EPISODE Jessica Wilkins, a musician turned tech enthusiast, joins us to share her fascinating journey from concert halls to coding. With a rich background from the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan, Jessica’s career in music was as vibrant as it was entrepreneurial. She ran a successful publishing company in Los Angeles, blending creativity, ambition, and adaptability in ways you wouldn’t expect. But then, something shifted. Her drive to advocate for Black artists in classical and jazz music sparked an unexpected pivot to tech. After building the Black Excellence Music Project website, Jessica discovered a passion for coding that led her to dive deep into online learning platforms. Faced with the choice between a high-profile gig at Disney or plunging into the tech world, she chose the latter—and hasn’t looked back. In this episode, Jessica reveals how her self-taught coding journey opened doors in software development. She shares why building real-world projects is key to showcasing your skills and how her transition from freelance musician to full-time tech role taught her the value of navigating team dynamics and setting healthy workplace boundaries. Stepping away from music also gave her space to cultivate personal growth and compassion, which has enriched both her professional life and her creative collaborations. LINKS Find Jessica on LinkedIN blackexcellencemusicproject.com
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 13 January 2025 | |||
| Marielle Allen | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:45:46 | |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was recorded. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and I recognise their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture. Sovereignty was never ceded—this always was and always will be Aboriginal land. ABOUT MARIELLE Marielle is an experienced strategist, having consulted for more than five years across the private and public sectors in a range of domains from transport to energy. Marielle began her consulting career at Strategy& (formerly Booz & Co) and now works as a commercial advisor at boutique outfit Coughlin Advisory. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Marielle shares her fascinating journey from the musical stages of the Queensland Conservatorium to navigating complex deals that promote renewable energy in New South Wales. We explore how the collaborative and structured environment of music parallels her current role, where teamwork, strategic planning, and a supportive culture are crucial. Her story offers a unique perspective on balancing macro and micro views in business and music, making for a compelling narrative on the value of diverse experiences. Listen in as we discuss the emotional and psychological challenges faced by musicians and how these translate into the corporate world. We examine the rigid nature of classical music training and its impact on risk tolerance and emotional skills. Marielle shares insights into the valuable skills musicians bring to the table, like receiving feedback dispassionately, while also highlighting the need for emotional intelligence in professional environments. This conversation underscores the importance of holistic development, blending technical proficiency with emotional resilience for effective collaboration. Finally, we explore the courage required to transition between careers, likening the process to mastering a musical instrument. Marielle shares her experiences of embracing the unknown and finding freedom in exploring new career paths. We reflect on the intersection of leadership and creativity, emphasizing the importance of technical skills and self-assurance. Through Marielle's story, we learn about the power of self-determination and fulfillment, and the lessons learned during the pandemic about focusing on actionable steps. PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 13 January 2025 | |||
| Katharine Tier | 06 Apr 2025 | 00:43:27 | |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was recorded. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and I recognise their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture. Sovereignty was never ceded—this always was and always will be Aboriginal land. ABOUT KATHARINE Until 2020, Kate was an international opera singer, and during her travels was exposed to varieties of vegetables that were brand-new to her. She became passionate about wanting to bring not only variety to the Australian table but also the quality and nutrient density that becomes possible with a shift towards local production and regenerative agricultural practices. Covid made Kate realise the importance of food security has never been more evident and she decided that she wanted to contribute to Australia’s ability to achieve it. ABOUT THIS EPISODE What happens when an opera singer trades the spotlight for soil, building a life centered around sustainability and self-sufficiency? Katharine Tier, a talented musician and business owner, shares her compelling journey from a high-profile opera career in Europe back to her roots in Tasmania, Australia. Faced with the challenges of establishing a regenerative farm during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband Florian navigated the unpredictable world of sustainable farming and business ownership. From initial ventures into veggie boxes to thriving with their seed company, Seed Freaks, Katharine opens up about adapting to new environments and finding resilience through community support and personal growth. But the journey wasn't without its hurdles. Katharine reveals the intricacies of maintaining seed purity amidst an ecosystem of possums, wallabies, and coastal winds. Her candid insights into these experiences offer a glimpse into the relentless yet rewarding path of sustainable farming. Beyond agriculture, Katharine reflects on overcoming personal struggles, including an eating disorder, and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability as a source of strength. This episode delves into her evolution from performer to farmer, highlighting transferable skills and the significance of collaboration in building a more sustainable, ethical lifestyle. Katharine's passion for music and education remains a vibrant part of her story, as she recounts memorable musical projects like performing Mahler's Symphony No. 2 in Tasmania. Balancing her artistic pursuits with postgraduate studies in counseling, she shares her dedication to ethical artistry and the importance of addressing societal challenges, such as mental health and generational issues. Through her experiences, Katharine demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration, respect, and a commitment to future-proofing emotional well-being as cornerstones of a healthier society. Join us for an inspiring narrative that underscores the interconnectedness of art, agriculture, and personal development. IMAGE CREDIT Andrew Finden
LINKS Katharine on Facebook Seed Freaks on Facebook Quintessence on Facebook
@katharinetier on Instagram @seedfreaks on Instagram @quintessence_voices on Instagram
PODCAST TEAM Production Support and Audio Engineering by Thomas Grayden Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly RECORDED Recorded on 15 January 2025 | |||