Holly Mathieson

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