Shows
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.14 – How I Manage My Cello Career With ADHDThe real talk on getting sh*t done as a neurospicy creative.
Ever wondered how I manage being a full-time, professional cellist while navigating the chaos that is ADHD? Well... welcome to the ride 😂 In this episode, I’m literally sat in bed, half-awake, following a bolt of inspiration - because THAT is sometimes the only way anything gets done around here.
I’m sharing how I actually run my career when executive dysfunction hits hard, why I’ve got six pairs of headphones (yes, really), how I prep for gigs without frying my brain, and the surprisin...2025-05-1214 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.13 – Do I Even Practice? The Truth About My Cello Practice RoutineSpoiler alert… it's not what you'd expect.
Ever wondered what a professional cellist’s practice routine really looks like? You might think I’m running scales for hours on end, bowing in front of a metronome 'til I drop… but nope. This one might ruffle a few feathers 😅🎻
In this episode, I’m spilling the full tea on how I actually practice (or don’t). From chaotic schedules to creative bursts, I’m sharing why traditional practice routines don’t work for me – and how I’ve found a rhythm that honours my energy, creativity, and mental well-being. I’ll also chat about my setup...2025-05-0513 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.12 – Cello Performance Envy And How I Deal With ItWhy envy has no place in my journey (and what I choose instead)
Ever felt a stab of envy watching someone else do exactly what you dream of doing? 🎻✨
Yeah… same. This episode is one of those raw, real, slightly rambly but totally from-the-heart ones. Someone recently mentioned “cellist envy” and it got me thinking - do I actually get jealous of other musicians? Or is it something else entirely?
I dive into what it's really been like growing up as a working-class Black girl in classical music, battling microaggressions, a lack of support, and feeling like I was always play...2025-04-2813 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.11 – Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A CellistThe Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Ranty…
Ever wondered what it’s really like being a professional cellist? Like, behind the glam wedding venues and the serene classical vibes? In this episode, I spill the honest truth - yes, including the weird jokes, the painful thumb positions, and the brutal nail sacrifices (RIP to long, pretty nails 💅🏾😩).
I’m chatting from my sunny patio doors (finally spring?! 🙏🏾☀️) and diving deep into the things I seriously wish someone had told me before I picked up this magnificent beast of an instrument. Expect laughs, a little rage, some very relatable chaos, and a lot of “wait...2025-04-2116 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.10 – What Music Do I ACTUALLY Listen To?And, what do I absolutely NOT listen to...
Everyone assumes I binge Bach and loop Elgar on repeat. But truth is... classical cello music? Barely features in my playlists. 😳 So what do I actually listen to as a full-time professional cellist? And what definitely doesn’t make the cut?
I’m diving into the question that always gets me in a twist — What music do I listen to? From old school garage to cinematic scores, dubstep to DnB, I’m spilling the tea on what soundtracks my life, and why it’s definitely not what most people expect. This...2025-04-1411 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.9 – The Most Bizarre Cello RequestsYou will NEVER GUESS some of these!
Hey hey, welcome to another episode of Cosmicgirlie Cello Chronicles! I’m Jay Émme, your luxury wedding cellist and music coach, and today, we are diving into the most bizarre, unexpected, and downright baffling wedding cello requests I’ve ever received.
When someone first asked me, “Jay, what’s the weirdest request you’ve had at a wedding?”—I honestly thought, Weird? Nothing seems weird to me anymore. But then, I really thought about it… and OH. MY. DAYS. There have been some absolute corkers.
I’m talking about req...2025-04-0714 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.8 – Cello Performance AnxietyHow I Manage My Bow Shakes
In this episode of Cosmicgirlie Cello Chronicles, I dive into a topic that isn't discussed nearly enough - performance anxiety. As a solo cellist, I’ve battled stage fright for most of my 40-year playing career. From bow shakes to panic attacks, I’ve tried everything to get it under control - beta blockers, alcohol, hypnosis, therapy, EFT, NLP... you name it. Some methods helped in the moment, others left me feeling detached and out of control.
I share my journey of overcoming the crippling fear that once made perf...2025-03-3116 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.7 – The Worst Cello Gig I Ever DidAnd the painful lessons I learned from it!
🚨 Ever shown up super prepared for a gig, only for everything to go sideways? Yeah… this was that gig. Picture this:
🎻 A last-minute booking at a "casual" folk festival
⏳ Hours of waiting around with zero communication
🎭 A very unexpected performance structure (or lack thereof)
Oh, and did I mention the artist I was meant to be playing with didn't even show up until hours after we were supposed to start? 🙃
This gig taught me so much about boundaries, professionalism, and knowing when to walk away—lessons that hones...2025-03-2410 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.6 – Saying NO as a Freelance CellistYou need the "3 M system"...
Ok, BEFORE you even listen, sometimes I forget the name of my own podcast, but here we are, still thriving. Also, I’ve had my morning coffee, and it’s HIT, so let’s get into it! 😅☕️
Today, we’re talking about something BIG: saying no as a musician. We musicians are notorious for saying yes to everything—because we want the gigs, we don’t want to be forgotten, and let’s be real, we need the money. But then what happens? We get overworked, underpaid, and totally burnt out. Been there, done...2025-03-1711 min
cosmicgirlie cello chroniclesEp.5 – If You Wanna Be Somebody…Building Your Audience As A Cellist
Hey hey, welcome back to another episode of Cosmicgirlie Cello Chronicles! Today we are diving straight in with a Sister Act classic: If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention! (If you know, you know! 😉)
So, let’s talk about showing up. People often ask me, Jay, how do you get your bookings? How did you land the Queen Charlotte gig? How did you get in with the BBC? And my answer is always the same: I show up.
Sho...2025-03-1012 min
The ADHD Women's Wellbeing PodcastImposter Syndrome, dopamine-seeking and ADHD with Jay Emme"People with ADHD don't want to be slowed down by the dots"Joining Kate on today's episode is ADHD life coach, mentor, consultant and professional cellist, Jay Emme. Listen to the full episode her: During this episode, hear Kate and Jay talk about:ADHD, creativity and having lots of interestsHow music and ADHD work togetherHow particular sounds are more intriguing to the neurodiverse brainGrowing up un-diagnosedManaging our nervous system and learning how to use our ADHD brains for positivityTrying to relax and do "nothing" with ADHDNot allowing ADHD to define your lifeRethinking our thinkingBeing black and having ADHDThe mental health c...2024-02-2515 min
ADHD Women's Wellbeing PodcastImposter Syndrome, dopamine-seeking and ADHD with Jay Emme"People with ADHD don't want to be slowed down by the dots"Joining Kate on today's episode is ADHD life coach, mentor, consultant and professional cellist, Jay Emme. Listen to the full episode her: During this episode, hear Kate and Jay talk about:ADHD, creativity and having lots of interestsHow music and ADHD work togetherHow particular sounds are more intriguing to the neurodiverse brainGrowing up un-diagnosedManaging our nervous system and learning how to use our ADHD brains for positivityTrying to relax and do "nothing" with ADHDNot allowing ADHD to define your lifeRethinking our thinkingBeing b...2024-02-2516 min
Menopause Whilst BlackI scored top marks on my ADHD test! Where's MY Lollipop?In this episode Karen Arthur chats with Jay Emme (pronounced ‘M’) . Jay is a Wedding cellist, Cello Coach and ADHD Life Coach based in Warwickshire. Jamaican diasporic, 44 year old Jay received a diagnosis for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) fairly recently. She talks us through this experience coupled with a realisation that she was going through peri-menopause in her late thirties, earlier than expected. Jay is funny and sweary. Buckle up! Notes: Period Cycle Tracker Clue. The Limitless Network Jays Cello Website ADHD Lovenotes. Socials: @Cosmicgirlie Instagram, Twitter, Facebook 2022-12-281h 06
The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast5. Harnessing creativity in a way that works for us"People with ADHD don't want to be slowed down by the dots"Joining Kate on today's episode is ADHD life coach, mentor, consultant and professional cellist, Jay Emme. During this episode, hear Kate and Jay talk about:ADHD, creativity and having lots of interestsHow music and ADHD work togetherHow particular sounds are more intriguing to the neurodiverse brainGrowing up un-diagnosed Managing our nervous system and learning how to use our ADHD brains for positivityTrying to relax and do "nothing" with ADHD Not allowing ADHD to define your lifeRethinking our thinkingBeing black and having ADHDThe mental health challenges that come with A...2022-02-1758 min
ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast5. Harnessing creativity in a way that works for us"People with ADHD don't want to be slowed down by the dots"Joining Kate on today's episode is ADHD life coach, mentor, consultant and professional cellist, Jay Emme. During this episode, hear Kate and Jay talk about:ADHD, creativity and having lots of interestsHow music and ADHD work togetherHow particular sounds are more intriguing to the neurodiverse brainGrowing up un-diagnosed Managing our nervous system and learning how to use our ADHD brains for positivityTrying to relax and do "nothing" with ADHD Not allowing ADHD to define your lifeRethinking our thinkingBeing black and having ADHDThe m...2022-02-1759 min
The nickyjamesonartist's PodcastGuest Interview with Cellist Jay Emme - Episode 18Guest Interview with Cellist Jay Emme - Episode 18
Now Live! My interview this week is with Cellist Jay Emme from Birmingham, England!
From Cellist to Wedding Photographer to Professional Solo Wedding Cellist - Jay Emme lives life to the full and then some.
I could describe this amazing artist many ways, and first one that comes to mind is "Force of Nature" whose light burns brightly as this talented musician goes for her goals and meets her challenges head on. Come along for the ride in this great conversation…and hold on to your hat, be...2019-06-051h 25