ABOUT KATHLEEN
"...beautiful, unique and full of transforming creative power."
- The Scotsman
“Beautifully clear soprano solos and finally, a rich full choral climax sounded even more impressive in the outdoor setting."
- Sunday Herald
About
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Musical training
Kathleen first gained an MA in French and Gaelic Studies at The University of Aberdeen before moving on to graduate from the Bachelor of Music Degree at The Ian Tomlin Academy of Music at Edinburgh Napier University with 1st class honours, also winning The Harold Gray Prize for Singing. After spending time working in London, she returned to Scotland and graduated with Distinction from the MMus in Vocal Music (Conducting) at The University of Aberdeen. Kathleen has been awarded a number of scholarships and prizes including The James Lobban Conducting Scholarship, The Carnegie-Cameron Taught Postgraduate Bursary and a King’s College Chapel Scholarship.
Musical work
Since graduating, Kathleen has worked as a conductor and singing teacher with companies including Scottish Opera and The National Theatre of Scotland, has performed at events such as EuroPride and the Sound Festival, and has worked with a wide variety of musicians including James MacMillan and Diana Burrell.
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Choral Research
Kathleen received her PhD in Education with Music from the University of Aberdeen in 2021, with her thesis focusing on singers' expectations of choral conductors in the UK. The thesis includes a model of Voice-centred Conductorship which can be used as the basis for designing and running rehearsals and concerts which take account of the singers' needs during the process. Kathleen's doctoral thesis, "Voice-Centred Conductorship": An exploration of singers’ expectations of UK-based choral leaders, is available in the University of Aberdeen's library.
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Current work
Kathleen the Musical Director of Loud & Proud, Scotland's First LGBTQ+ choir. She also teaches singing both online and in-person. Recently she founded and led Singing Through and Beyond Menopause, a project supporting menopausal singers through group song sessions. She is continuing this work through one to one teaching and group workshops, and is also writing articles and resources to help menopausal singers and those teaching/leading menopausal voices.
“Visceral, heartfelt..."
- The Stage​
