Music has been an integral part of my life from a very young age. I could sing before I could talk! As an adolescent my headphones were virtually glued to my head influencing how I dressed and dictating my social circles.  Music still offers me many opportunities to grow and connect with others. Outside of therapy I pursue many music activities for my own expression including playing in a rock band, directing or accompanying choirs across a wide range of genres and as an organist participating in liturgical music.

My musical education began in earnest with a scholarship to Chetham’s School of Music Manchester followed by a degree in music performance at the Royal Academy of Music London. From there I began working in education in both the UK and Australia within the private sector. This offered an opportunity to work within a flexible curriculum where energies were balanced between classroom and extra-curricular music making. My experience of working within the boarding school environment placed an important focus on the pastoral care of young people.

After 11 years I left the field of education to pursue musical pathways. This included a spell at sea working within the entertainment industry. Many of the most significant musical interactions during this phase involved connecting with people who were convalescing. I returned to Ireland in 2011 with an open mind and was able to engage in some voluntary work as a music facilitator with adults with autism. This confirmed my own vocational urge to pursue Music Therapy as a career path. I subsequently undertook the two year Masters Programme in Music Therapy at the University of Limerick.

Since graduating in 2014 I have worked part time for Music Therapy Ireland in Limerick and independently around the west and midlands. As the founder of Music Therapy Galway I am committed to developing music therapy in this region. I am also committed to ongoing professional development. In 2015 I attended the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Summer School in London. This year (2016) I will attend the British Association of Music Therapy Biannual Seminar in Glasgow. This ensures that my work is informed by latest research and best practice. I also engage in regular supervision with a senior music therapist so that I can continue to offer the best possible service to my clients and monitor my own therapeutic development.