Deborah Kelleher

Member

Work title: Director
‍Work place/organisation: Royal Irish Academy of Music

Short summary of biography

Appointed Director of the RIAM in October 2010, Deborah Kelleher has played an integral role in the strategic development of the institution’s international profile, outreach, and academic courses.

Milestone achievements include the introduction of specialised undergraduate degrees in composition and vocal studies; RIAM Podium, the Centre for Performing Ensembles, which trains musicians for orchestras and large ensembles; and the founding of Ireland’s first Historical Performance Department with foundation partners The Irish Baroque Orchestra.

In 2013, the RIAM became an associate college of Trinity College, the University of Dublin, and Deborah led this significant transition. The RIAM has also forged significant performance partnerships with many of the world’s most prestigious music conservatoires including the Juilliard School, New York, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Liszt Academy, Hungary.

Deborah has also overseen a significant increase in professional development courses for the 7,000 private music teachers throughout the country who enter students for RIAM’s National Examination System. This initiative is part of a wider strategy to make the RIAM a resource for musicians all over Ireland from amateur to professional level, through online and distance learning, performance opportunities and more.

In 2019, RIAM founded the Open Youth Orchestra of Ireland, an inclusive ensemble for musicians with intellectual or physical challenges. Using Assistive Music Technology, this group performs cutting edge, contemporary music together.

RIAM received significant Erasmus+ funding in 2020 to lead ‘Power Relations in Higher Music Education’ a project modelled on the Citizen’s Assembly, where 50 stakeholders examine issues and norms in conservatoires that can empower, and disempower its members.

Deborah is President of the European Association of Conservatoires, an umbrella group for over 300 conservatoires in Europe and beyond.

Why is ShareMusic’s work important?

– ShareMusic's work is important because it promotes best practice in inclusive creativity. It does this through the commissioning and presentation of new artistic works; through their research; in training practitioners and emerging artists; and by bringing partners together for national and international collaborations. ShareMusic is a powerful advocate for people of all abilities to express themselves through the arts.