Singing For Your Supper

Cuban flutist extraordinaire—and old friend—Ernesto Fernández joins us on the show. He talks about growing up in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and how a general fearlessness and sacrifices on his and his family's part have led him to a burgeoning career in the United States. He talks about his early successes, studying hard at university, teaching Sir James Galway Latin jazz, teaching, and of course his new album "Pa'lante" ("Onward!"—Ernesto's favourite catchphrase), which, in the days since recording this episode, has been nominated for a Latin GRAMMY Award.

We are joined by cellist Ruth Hallows talking about her work as a performer and educator. She introduces her blog, From a Cellist's Perspective, where she discusses issues from mental health for musicians and myths about the classical music world to practical things like auditions and advice for recent music college graduates. She also talks about her time teaching in Hong Kong and how it has informed the way she approaches work—both performing and teaching—today. Along the way, she tells us how her experience as an Events Officer in the RCM Students' Union helped inform her creative juices during the COVID-19 lockdown.For more about Ruth, including the blog From a Cellist's Perspective, visit her website here.

In Part 2 of our conversation, guest Holly Mathieson shares her thoughts about the challenges facing women in the male-dominated world of conducting. We also discuss the future of classical music in the COVID (or post-COVID) world.

New Zealand conductor Holly Mathieson joins us in our inaugural two-part special feature episode. In Part 1, we talk about how her upbringing has shaped her career in music, and how her curiosity and willingness to navigate the road less travelled have led her to an enterprising trajectory. She discusses how music—"ritual and display", as she calls it—fulfils such a critical role in human society.