KEITH WARNOCK

Keith Warnock is a law graduate of Trinity College Dublin. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1971 and worked in England and the United States of America. After studying for a post-graduate degree at the University of Manchester, he returned to Ireland in 1977 as a lecturer in accounting at University College Galway, a role he filled until 2006. During that period he was President of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (1983-85), Dean of the Faculty of Commerce (1986-1990), Chairman of the Western Society of Chartered Accountants, and Editor of the Irish Accounting Review (1994-2006). He was appointed Vice-President for Physical Resources at University of Galway (formerly NUIG) in July 2006, and became Vice-President for Capital Projects in 2009, a role which he held on a part-time basis from 2011 to 2014; during his period as Vice-President he served as a member of the Council of the Galway Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of the Galway City Development Board; he remained as an advisor on capital projects at the University until his full retirement in 2018.

PETER ALLEN

Peter Allen is a Solicitor who runs his own law practice in Galway City. He attended Secondary School at Castleknock College in Dublin and after qualifying worked in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford for a short time, before returning to Galway in 1980. His involvement with GMR is based on a liking for classical music together with the fact that GMR, through the Quartet, provide musical education which helps to nurture local talent, giving them access to top class guidance. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Connacht Tribune Limited, Western Community Broadcasting Limited (Galway Bay FM) and Kylemore Abbey and Gardens Limited, which is involved in the running of the Kylemore Abbey Estate in Connemara, Co. Galway. He is the Chairman of the Galway Race Committee and the Chairman of the Irish Horseracing Regulation Board, which is based in The Curragh, Co. Kildare and is the organisation responsible for the Integrity and Regulation of Irish Horseracing. He is married with two boys, and has been actively involved in many clubs in Galway over the years. He now enjoys watching Rugby and playing Golf, along with his interest in horseracing.

JANE O’LEARY

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Jane O'Leary has been resident in Ireland since 1972. A member of Aosdána, she is a graduate of Vassar College and holds a PhD in music composition from Princeton University. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree by the National University of Ireland in 2007. Her music has featured at the ISCM World Music Days on several occasions and has been performed at numerous international festivals. As founder, artistic director and pianist of Concorde contemporary music ensemble, Jane O'Leary has promoted contemporary music worldwide for over 40 years. She has served as a member of the Arts Council and Udarás na hOllscoile Gaillimh, and also as a Director of the National Concert Hall. Jane is a former Chair of The Contemporary Music Centre and Music for Galway. Jane says: “The residency of professional musicians in Galway has transformed our community, and it is exciting to be part of the team that manages the constantly evolving and expanding programme of events.”

SARA STEWART

Sara is a BA Honours Graduate in Italian and Philosophy and also holds an Honours Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Business Studies from University of Galway. Upon graduating she worked in a number of marketing roles primarily within the Tourism Sector. Sara studied and played music when younger. She has been working as a Property Manager in James Stewart Ltd for the past thirteen years and is a Director of Stewart Developments Ltd.

MARIE KERRIGAN

Marie Kerrigan is a native Galwegian. She began her musical journey as a traditional musician. She has been involved in All Ireland Fleadh Ceoil, playing accordion, with many accolades to show for it! Marie also became an accomplished piano player. This road eventually took her to St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, where she received a B.Mus. She also has a H.Dip in Education, and a Teaching Diploma from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Marie has been involved in performing choral works and also teaches choir. She is passionate about music in all its different genres, in its capacity to transform, inspire and evoke emotion. She has devoted her work life to teaching music in Dominican College, Taylors Hill, where the emphasis is on nurturing a love of music, the positive values of music and achieving high academic standards. To this end she has been Musical Director of over 30 school musicals. Marie also worked as Musical Director with Backstage Theatre Company. Marie enjoys the challenge that being on the GMR Board provides and would like to be involved in providing as many opportunities as possible for young people to engage, interact with and experience music here in Galway.

Linda O'Shea Farren

Linda graduated in law from University College Cork, and is qualified to practice as a Solicitor both in Ireland and England & Wales, and as an Attorney-at-Law in New York. She is also a CEDR-accredited Mediator. Linda practised as a corporate lawyer with Debevoise & Plimpton in New York and London. Since returning to Ireland, she has worked in the public, private and voluntary sectors across a broad spectrum of law, banking, politics, education, health, disability and the arts. In 2000, Linda set up her own solicitor’s practice specialising in the areas of corporate law, litigation, entertainment law and pro bono representation of people with disabilities. Linda holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy (MEconSc), the thesis for which examined the living and working conditions of composers in Ireland. She founded the Music Education Action Group to promote peripatetic instrumental music education in primary schools, and was an early instigator of the BA in Composition degree at RIAM. Linda has extensive board and corporate governance experience, including Chairperson of Great Music in Irish Houses along with acting as a Board Member of the Galway Music Residency. Linda is the Communications & Projects Manager of the Contemporary Music Centre which supports composers and performers of contemporary music in Ireland to develop an increased profile for their work and to reach audiences regionally, nationally and internationally, through promotion, creative projects and partnerships. This role also includes maintaining established promotional partnerships and developing new partnerships for the development and promotion of contemporary music from Ireland.

SINEAD HAYES

Following an initial training in engineering, Sinead studied violin and composition at City University, London and conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. She works as a freelance conductor in the UK and Ireland and has featured as conductor on BBC Radio 3, made her debut with Northern Ireland Opera (Threepenny Opera), and played in Berlin’s Philharmonie where she performed on Irish fiddle alongside members of the Berlin Philharmonic.

John Caulfield

John Caulfield has been a member of the Galway Music Residency’s Artistic Committee since 2014, acting as Chair of the committee since 2017. He has a keen interest in bringing music to new audiences and locations, and enjoys working with the Galway Music Residency to develop new and engaging programmes, commissions and collaborations with performers, cultural organisations and community groups across Galway. Originally from Co. Wexford, John moved to Galway in 2012 to take up the role of Internal Communications Officer at University of Galway. In 2020, he was appointed the University’s Director of Strategy Implementation. He has worked for TG4 and the BBC in the past, and he holds a PhD in Sociolinguistics from Cardiff University. John lives in an Spidéal and is passionate about the Irish language. He is currently co-directing the Aistriú project as part of the Galway 2020 artistic programme. He sings with a number of choirs in the city.

Ruth Gordon

A Music and Irish graduate from UCC, Ruth has worked in the arts and culture sector for over 15 years in a variety of fields such as opera, theatre, and festivals including roles with Druid, Galway International Arts Festival, Macnas, Baboró, and Fíbín, often performing roles through English and Irish. As the first Music Development Officer for Music Generation Galway County, Ruth initiated the rollout of new, accessible and inclusive music education programmes for young people in Galway County during its set-up phase. Ruth is currently the Project Manager of the Creative Ireland fund with Galway County Council Arts Office, a culture and wellbeing programme that inspires and transforms people, places and communities through creativity. Ruth says, “I am excited to be part of a team that presents work of international excellence in the West of Ireland in an accessible, inclusive, and exciting way.”

MAEVE BRYAN

Maeve, a Galway native, graduated from University of Galway with a Degree in English and Philosophy (Double First Class Honours) and a Masters in Ethics, Culture and Global Change (First Class Honours). Following time in the publishing and language industries, she is now a dedicated Arts Professional. Being a keen classical musician and having directly experienced the benefit of ConTempo Quartet's teaching and mentoring as a young musician, Maeve is passionate about the work that GMR is doing in Galway City and County and is delighted to be at the helm in this exciting time for Galway. Passionate about music education, outside her role at the Galway Music Residency, Maeve teaches Colourstrings Kindergarden, a Kodaly-based music literacy programme and the follow on instrumental programme for piano.

Orla Henihan

Orla has many years of experience in the Arts, most recently in her role as Arts Access Officer in the Linenhall Arts Centre. As well as a love of music, Orla has a keen interest in programming and producing work for young audiences.