Music Generation appoints a new Head of Quality, Support and Development

Music Generation is delighted to announce that Paula Phelan has been appointed as Head of Quality, Support and Development (QSD) within the National Development Office. In this new senior role, Paula will drive the implementation of a new national Music Generation Quality Framework, support the planned growth of the national network of Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs), and lead on professional development and learning programmes and initiatives for Music Generation over the coming years.

Paula brings a breadth of experience to the role, spanning the worlds of arts and corporate management, music education leadership and practice. Most recently she held the position of LMEP Support Manager at the Music Generation National Development Office. From 2013-2018 she was Programme Director for Music Generation Carlow. In addition to her extensive work with Music Generation, she was previously General Manager of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, a Post-Primary Teacher, Freelance Musician Educator and General Manager of Belvedere Youth Service.

A native of Kildare, Paula completed her undergraduate BAmus degree in NUI Maynooth. She holds an MA Baroque Performance Practice from Queens University Belfast, an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from University College Dublin, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from NUI Maynooth and a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Music from Birmingham City University.

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. ‘Phase 1’ of Music Generation established the programme in 11 areas of Ireland (Carlow, Clare, Cork City, Laois, Limerick City, Louth, Mayo, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo, South Dublin and Wicklow) and in September 2017 a further nine areas were selected for participation as part of ‘Phase 2’ (Cavan/Monaghan, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway City, Galway County, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Roscommon, Waterford and Wexford). In December 2017 Government announced its commitment to support expansion of the programme nationwide by 2022. This next phase was launched with the announcement of five additional areas in May 2019 (Kerry, Kildare, Longford, Meath, Tipperary). Currently Music Generation creates some 42,500 opportunities each year for children and young people to engage in high-quality, subsidised performance music education with more than 350 skilled musician educators, across a hugely diverse range of musical genres, styles and contexts.