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PODCAST

Chords and Queens

Chords and Queens

Hello and welcome to Chords & Queens, the podcast that uncovers the untold stories of the world’s most captivating female composers—with a fresh, modern twist! Every week, we shine a spotlight on a trailblazing woman who reshaped the world of music, diving into her life, her legacy, and the timeless sounds she brought to the world. Hosted by composer and multi instrumentalist Jennifer Athan. Let’s get social! Instagram - @ChordsandQueens TikTok - @ChordsandQueens

music music history

All Episodes

00:11:32

Classical Music has an Education AND a Postcode...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/10/05

In this episode we dive into the world of classical music education and how initiatives like the Benedetti Foundation are leading the charge in creating fulfilling, inspiring and elite music education in a variety of different locations. We talk about discouraging A-Level and GCSE statistics and the disparities between different countries within the UK and how having a certain postcode can put you at an advantage when it comes to affordable, or even free music education. The Benedetti Foundation:

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00:35:31

Nwando Ebizie: How a 12th Century Nun inspired an Opera

Chords and Queens ·

2026/09/24

In this episode, I chat to multi-disciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie about her new opera Ecstasy of the Virtues presented by Mahogany Opera. Which is her bold new take on the 900 year old Ordo Virtutum by medieval composer Hildegard of Bingen. We also talk about how she got her start in the creative industries as well as where she gets her inspiration from, and how she creates projects that not only entertain audiences, but invite them to look inward and question what they know. Ecstasy of the

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00:13:19

Ayanna Witter-Johnson talks New Album New Roots and...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/09/07

Joining me on the podcast today is the wonderful cellist, singer, pianist and composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson. We chat about her love of music at an early age, her new album New Roots and we look ahead to her upcoming performance at LSO St Luke's in London on 16th September as part of her new residency there, where the album comes to life through an evening of music, poetry and dance.New Roots First Light Tickets Here:

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00:16:52

Rockey Sun Keting: How Six Women Poets Across 1,000...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/08/28

In this episode, I get to talk to composer Rockey Sun Keting about her creative process, her role as Co-Director of the artist collective Tangram, and Tangram's newly announced position as one of three Artistic Partners for LSO St Luke's 2026/27 season. We also dig into her latest project, Chronicle 时•录 which is a new choral theatre work created with Tangram and SANSARA, celebrating six incredible women poets across a thousand years of Chinese history, premiering at LSO St Luke's on the

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00:25:42

Jocelyn Hagen: Here I am Album and Scoring the Music...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/08/24

On today’s episode I’m joined by American composer Jocelyn Hagen. We talk about how she grew up with a musical family and how she discovered her love for composition through writing songs. We discuss how she founded the collective and podcast Compose Like a Girl, her upcoming album Here I Am, which features her stunning recording of The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, alongside the title track which is a piece born from conductor Eric Holtan's suggestion that Jocelyn write something celebrating

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00:34:03

Beatrice Nicholas: The Concert Pianist tearing up the...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/08/17

On today's episode, I sit down with pianist and composer Beatrice Nicholas to talk about her journey learning piano and composing her own music, plus her advocacy for the next generation of classical pianists and the opportunities she's creating for young musicians. We also chat about her upcoming headline show at London's Ronnie Scott's, where she'll be spotlighting the work of African American women composersBeatrice Nicholas: Website: https://www.beatricenicholas.comInstagram:

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00:15:39

Three Choirs Festival: Cheryl Frances-Hoad and...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/08/10

On today's episode, I sit down with two of the composers featured at the 2026 Three Choirs Festival: Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Kerensa Briggs.We talk about how they each got started in music and found their way into composition, before diving into the pieces they're bringing to this year's festival, walking through their compositional processes, the ideas and inspirations behind the works, and what audiences can expect to hear.Cheryl Frances-Hoad:

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00:56:37

Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey: Her mission to change...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/07/27

On today's episode, I'm joined by percussionist, conductor, scholar, and educator Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey. We talk about her early music education in Alaska, growing up surrounded by extraordinary role models, and how that upbringing shaped her drive to put her musical training in service of real-world issues. We also dig into the persistent underrepresentation of women composers on concert programmes, and why in this day and age programming Beethoven is anything but a neutral choice

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00:15:00

Anna Clyne talks love of collaboration, her new piece...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/06/15

On today's episode, we sit down with the magnificent Anna Clyne. We explore her earliest childhood memories of writing music, her love of collaboration, and her new piece Sirens, as well as her advice for the next generation of women composers. She also reflects on the distinction of being the most performed living woman composer, and whether that title feels like an honour, or whether she'd simply rather be known as a composer. Anna

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00:54:37

Rebekah Reid talks Hypermobility, Loop Pedals and a...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/05/28

On today’s episode we welcome violinist and composer Rebekah Reid, who talks to us about navigating hypermobility as a violinist, writing music and her upcoming gig at the famous London Jazz Club - Ronnie Scott’s. During the episode we get an insight into her writing process as she shows us how she constructs a song live on stage using a loop pedal. We also chat about the harrowingly low statics highlighting that only 0.59% of Black Women had their work preformed by major Orchestras in the 2023/24

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00:40:51

Isabelle O’Connell and Rhona Clarke : The Pandemic...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/04/06

On today's episode, we're joined by pianist Isabelle O'Connell and composer Rhona Clarke to talk about their album Cocteau - and how a pandemic collaboration quietly grew into something much bigger. We chat about their beginnings in music, the inspiration behind the project, and the work of Les Six member Germaine Tailleferre, whose music features on the album.Isabelle O’Connell: Website: https://www.isabelleoconnell.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/izzypianonyc/Rhona Clarke:

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00:17:18

Written Oot the Reel: Where are the Women in 18th and...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/03/30

On this week’s episode we try and answer the question - where are the women in the Golden Age of Scottish trad music? So let’s look at the lives of Euphemia Murray, Catherine White, Magdalene Stirling and Anna Gordon. Just some of the names that shaped 18th and 19th century Scottish Music. Sources -Female Composers in Scotland’s Golden Age - Aaron McGregor https://fillocksfiddlers.com/2025/10/22/female-composers-in-scotlands-golden-age/A Collection of Entirely Original Strathspeys, Reels… By. Ladies

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01:04:40

Jennifer King: The Award Winning Pianist That’s...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/03/23

On today's episode, we sit down with Jennifer King, the award-winning pianist and recording artist. We talk about her early days learning music and the importance of being able to access music education, as well as her phenomenal career as a performer, teacher, and actress - playing the role of Ethel Smyth in The Bessie Carruthers Study Club. With such an impressive career, Jennifer has no desire to slow down and enjoy the fruits of her labour quite yet. In fact, there's one area of music

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00:46:09

Cathryn Bell: From Actor to Film Composer

Chords and Queens ·

2026/03/02

On today’s episode, I’m joined by the wonderful multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Cathryn Bell. We talk about her journey as a composer and how she found her way into writing for the screen, as well as her favourite film scores and her creative process. We also dive into the lack of women in film composition and explore what can be done to better support and champion the next generation of women composers.Cathryn Bell: Website: https://www.cathrynbell.comInstagram:

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00:37:38

Shea Lolin and Fiona Sweeney: Recording Chaminade’s...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/02/23

On today’s episode, I’m joined by conductor, producer, and performer Shea Lolin and flautist Fiona Sweeney to discuss their recent recording of the Flute Concertino by French composer Cécile Chaminade, featured on their new album Frisson. We explore the experience of recording the work, the importance of championing music by women composers, and share advice for emerging composers on the value of collaboration with musicians and conductors in bringing new pieces to life.Shea

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00:14:37

Marianna Martines: Life, Music and Inspiring Mozart

Chords and Queens ·

2026/02/22

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life and music of Marianna Martines, the 18th-century Viennese composer who lived alongside Haydn and Mozart and performed for Europe’s elite, but whose brilliance was nearly erased by history. From her virtuosic keyboard works to her stunning choral compositions, we unpack how Martines carved out a career in a world that rarely allowed women to be composers, and why her music deserves a central place in the classical canon today. Marianna Who? Martines,

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00:26:30

Precious Akindele: From Channel 4’s The Piano to...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/02/09

On the podcast this week, I’m joined by the wonderfully talented Precious Akindele. We talk about her love for Erykah Badu, her journey into writing her own music, and her advice for women and girls who want to start learning the organ.Precious also breaks down the process of creating and programming her own organ recital in March 2026, and gives us an insight into her upcoming new music.Precious’s instagram: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/precious_mymusic/✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Let’s Get

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00:59:45

Amy Schumaker Bliss: Euphonium, Education, and...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/02/02

On today’s podcast, we’re joined by the wonderful performer, writer, and educator Dr. Amy Schumaker Bliss. We explore her journey playing the euphonium, her experiences navigating sexism as a brass player, and her career as both a teacher and performer with the likes of the Athena Brass Band. Amy also shares the inspiration behind her children’s book Amy’s Brass Band and discusses the meaningful ways we can support more women entering the brass world whether that be as performers, composers or

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00:09:58

2025 Books & Music Recap: Women in Music edition

Chords and Queens ·

2026/01/31

On today’s episode we recap some of my favourite books and music of 2025. From learning about the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz to listening to the classical pop takeover, I share with you my thoughts and findings on some of my favourite artistic finds of the year. ✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Let’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens⁠Instagram:

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00:35:28

Interview with the Ina Boyle Society: Her Music, Her...

Chords and Queens ·

2026/01/19

I’m so honoured to be joined by Katie Rowan, founder of the Ina Boyle Society and a relative of the remarkable Irish composer Ina Boyle. Katie shares the story behind the creation of the Society, the inspiration that drives its work, and reflects on Ina’s music and enduring legacy. We also look ahead to what’s next for Ina Boyle’s music, and discuss how we can all support the Society and help shape a stronger future for women composers in Ireland and beyond. The Ina Boyle

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43 results

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