Classical Circuit Podcast Episode 19 — Hattie Butterworth

Host Ella Lee chats with Hattie Butterworth about performance anxiety, her complicated relationship with the cello, and her long-lasting struggles with OCD

Launched this year, Ella Lee’s classical music podcast, “Classical Circuit” explores the intricacies of the classical music industry, and all that comes with working in it. Hailing from across the profession, the podcast guests discuss their careers and personal opinions.

“Classical Circuit” is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. We had a chance to talk to Ella about her inspiration behind creating this podcast in this exclusive interview.

Hattie Butterworth is a journalist, cellist and founder of Things Musicians Don’t Talk About: a podcast, blog, and online platform born in 2020 out of Hattie’s own struggles with her mental health. Subsequently growing into a space that raises awareness for musicians’ health and well-being, TMDTA platforms very honest discussions about stigmatized topics including mental health, injuries, and discrimination in the industry. Hattie is also the editor of two magazines, Opera Now and Choir and Organ.

In this episode, Hattie spoke about performance anxiety, her complicated relationship with the cello, and her long-lasting struggles with OCD. She also talks about a piece she wrote for the Evening Standard on psychological abuse in conservatoires, burnout, and balancing being present in the everyday with the constant reflection on past experiences that her TMDTA work requires of her.