Welcome to the TMDTA blog!
In addition to the podcast, we wanted to provide a space of written stories, reflections and peer support. Do get in touch via the contact page if you’d like to write a blog piece for us!
In association with the Royal Society of Musicians
For the record: Burnout
Hattie shares the reality of work and burnout following training as a musician
The journey home
‘Music’ is a word that can’t describe each experience of deep sound connection
Performing - a mental health crisis?
Does anything come close to the shattering anxiety of solo performance?
We walk around as if everyone is fine
What if we consider that today someone has reached crisis point
The signs of a toxic music teacher that no one talks about
Psychological abuse within classical music is a huge issue and it needs to stop 🤚
Type 1 Diabetes - dealing with a new diagnosis
I am not someone who likes numbers, nor is interested in getting obsessed with them in this way. I have moved so far into food freedom, but this new diagnosis is challenging it again.
Sharing my OCD diary from last summer
I feel stuck and like my brain is working to make my life unliveable. I am isolated- my body feels a cold sweat when the thoughts are so intense they feel like they might be the death of me.
Solo: The Unaccompanied Musician
Nicola Warner takes us through her life as a cellist with chronic fatigue syndrome
Unfortunately on this occasion you have not been successful.
Musician and curator Jack Jones talks candidly about the emotional toll of rejection.
“…less and less is spoken about the mental agility required to be constantly rejected and still have belief in what you’re trying to cultivate.”
I lied about my age to look more impressive
Your improvement can’t be linear, so neither should your intensity of practice be
On musical dyslexia
Bassoon player Alison Wormell takes us on the road to discovering their musical dyslexia and the impact its discovery has had on their playing
Seeking Safety: Navigating Generalized Anxiety as a Musician
Flute player Francesca Leo shares her journey with anxiety, leading to a recent diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder
Not enough has changed since Diana told the world about her self-harm in 1995
Of course I am watching the Crown. I am also seven months in recovery myself from self-harm. The two are, of course, related to Princess Diana’s ongoing struggle with self-harm and her admission of it in the infamous 1995 BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir.
Gaelynn Lea : UK Disability History Month
Discovering the music and work of violinist and activist Gaelynn Lea for UK Disability History Month
Dame Evelyn Glennie: UK Disability History Month
The first in a series of mini introductory blogs on notable disabled and/or chronically ill musicians for UK Disability History Month
What is the meaning of a ‘musician’ in 2022?
Sofia Kolupov questions the archaic practices of the classical music industry as we look to define what being a musician actually is…
Why are most female classical music icons thin?
Criticising women for what they wear and how they look is not something I want to add to. This isn’t a question about whether it should be ok to dress how you like… it’s a question about why so many of those in the classical music media are both thin and white.