Appointed Director in October 2010 having worked for a number of years as Head of Musicianship, Deborah Kelleher has played an integral role in the establishment and development of outreach, distance and in particular academic courses in the Academy over the last number of years, including the introduction of a specialised undergraduate degree in composition, the first music technology programme at the RIAM and numerous professional development courses for teachers throughout the country. Since 2008 she has been the Academy’s International Relations Co-ordinator, representing the RIAM internationally at conferences and meetings, and forging significant relationships with many of the world’s most prestigious music conservatoires.
Deborah studied music at Trinity College Dublin and was subsequently awarded masters degrees in musicology (UCD) and business administration (DCU). Recognised as one of Ireland’s finest pianists of her generation, in recent years she has specialised in working with singers, counting Ailish Tynan, Mairéad Buicke, Tara Erraught and the late Bernadette Greevy, amongst her recital partners. She is a member of the board of the Dublin International Piano Competition and is a member of the Arts Council’s Peer Review Panel.
In addition, Deborah has been active in a working group sponsored by the Association of European Conservatoires (AEC) that studies international best practice in the area of strategic planning in music performance education.