Research Profile

Biography

Michelle is an Irish traditional musician and Lecturer in Music Education and Community Music at the Department of Music, UCC. Michelle's research concerned with the ways in which music, education and community are interwoven in Irish academic discourse, community development and education policy.  

Michelle's research contributes to the fields of music education and community music; it includes both traditional and non-traditional, artistic research outputs. A significant focus of her academic work is on creativity and local community engagement. Her research focuses on themes of creative community engagement, creative practice teacher education, intergenerational arts and health practice, early years music and teaching and learning in higher education.

Through her creative practice, Michelle engages in performances in diverse communities which highlights the significance of performing in marginalized communities. These performances are research led and contribute to a wider understanding of the value and role of creative practice and collaborative music making to enhance meaningful exchanges between community and practitioners.


Michelle has publications in traditional output including chapters in books, peer review journal articles, encyclopedia entries and published and non published research reports.  As well as non traditional outputs, Michelle has one hundred and two performances include nine critical performances which are part of significant research funded projects on the development of collaborative community projects in education and arts and health contexts. These research based projects have been funded by The Arts Council of Ireland, HSE, Cork Arts and Health, The Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo, St Patrick's College Drumcondra, Cork City Council and Music Generation Cork City.   

Michelle's research contributes to the fields of music education and community music and includes creative practice as a medium to engage in creative output. Her work has been cited as making a ‘significant contribution and addition to the literature on children’s perceptions of and perspectives on their own musical education, experiences, and identity’  (Professor John Buckley, 2016).

Michelle is a founding member of the Society for Music Education in Ireland (2010-2016) and board member of Cork City Music Education Partnership (2018-present). Michelle was awarded numerous prizes and scholarships for her work to date including:  The Seán Ó Ríada Prize (2004); The Ireland Canada Foundation Riverdance Award (2005); The Arts Council Bursary Award (2009); Doctoral scholarship from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2009-2012);  UCC Enhancement Fund (2016); Excellence In Teaching Award (2019).

As a result of her research excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Michelle was Awarded a CIRTL 3-Year Teaching and Learning Fellowship (2022-2025) to support staff engaging in the Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at UCC.

Michelle's interest in inclusive practice at tertiary level education contributed to her being awarded an ID+ Fellowship (2022-2024) as a result of her excellence and leadership to support inclusive practice and the integration of co-learning modules in MU2112 for students with intellectual disability at UCC.

Michelle was awarded an Enhancement Award, UCC (2019) from the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund, UCC for the project entitled: ‘Working creatively with groups a handbook to support the facilitation of creative practice in education and community context".             

Michelle was PI on an Early Years Research Project in collaboration with Cork City Childcare and Music Generation Cork City that culminated in an 30 page report that informs policy for early years music education in Cork (2015).  
 
Michelle developed a research informed performance project on Irish traditional music programme for young children in Cork city in partnership with Club Ceoil, Ballyphenane, Creative Tradition and Music Generation Cork City (2013-2014).

Michelle was research PI to the published Tiny Voice -Early Years Report (2013), one of the most significant research projects on Early Years Music Education in Ireland. The project was a partnership between Common Ground and Early Childhood Ireland. The research dimension was a joint collaboration with The Department of Music, St Patrick's College, Dublin and the Department of Music, University College Cork. 

In 2006, Michelle was awarded a prestigious doctoral scholarship from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.  As part of this work, she explored children’s perspectives on their musical worlds and culture lives in Ireland. She carried out research with children in a range of in-school and out-of-school contexts in Cork. Her original research findings are presented in the context of the National Children’s Strategy which informs policy for the development and role of music and culture for children in this context.  

Michelle has graduated from UCC with a BMus (2005), MPhil (2008) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2009), PhD  (2016), Higher diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2019) and Masters in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2021).

Research Interests


Teaching areas include:
Music Education,
Community music,
Early Years Arts Education,
Creative Practice and Intellectual Disability 
Sensory Integration with Music and Disability
Irish Traditional Music,
Popular Musics in Ireland,
Music and Culture
Research methods in music education and community contexts


Postgraduate Supervision areas include:
Irish traditional music
Music  Education
Early Years Education
Creative Practice in Community Music

Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2019)'Participatory Methodologies to Elevate Children's Voice and Agency'
Finnerty, Michelle (2019) 'Participatory Methodologies to Elevate Children's Voice and Agency' In: Ilene R. Berson, Michael J. Berson, Collette Grey (eds). Sounds from within: Exploring the role of ethnographic fieldwork to elevate children’s perspectives and voices in the study of children’s musical cultures in Ireland. USA: Information Age Publishing. [Details]
(2014)'Making Connections: the use of ethnographic fieldwork to facilitate a model of Integrative Learning'
Finnerty,Michelle (2014) 'Making Connections: the use of ethnographic fieldwork to facilitate a model of Integrative Learning' In: Daniel Blackshields, James Cronin, Bettie Higgs, Shane Kilcommins, Marian McCarthy, Anthony Ryan (eds). Integrative Learning: International Research and Practice. UK: Routledge. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2021)'Musicking during Lockdown - Exploring young people's perspectives on their engagement with music during COVID 19 Pandemic in Ireland'
Finnerty, Michelle (2021) 'Musicking during Lockdown - Exploring young people's perspectives on their engagement with music during COVID 19 Pandemic in Ireland'. Applied Psychology: Health And Well-Being, [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2017)Abair Trad Report - Creative Ireland Symposium
Finnerty, Michelle (2017) Children's Access to Irish traditional Music Education in Ireland . In: Daithí Kearney and Adele Commins eds. Abair Trad Report - Creative Ireland Symposium [Details]
(2011)MERYC 2011: European Music Educators and Researchers for Young Children
Finnerty, Michelle; (2011) Children's Access to Music Education in Ireland: Exploring provisions in formal and in-formal education and community contexts MERYC 2011: European Music Educators and Researchers for Young Children [Details]
(2011)Sociological Explorations: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education
Michelle Finnerty; (2011) Connecting Classroom, School and Community: Exploring Music Education in Ireland (Forthcoming) . In: Dr John O Flynn eds. Sociological Explorations: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2013)Tiny Voices: an early years music research report.
Common Ground and DCU (2013) Tiny Voices: an early years music research report. Common Ground and DCU, Dublin.   [Details]

Book Reviews

 YearPublication
(2012)Review of Adam Kaul, Turning the Tune: Traditional Music, Tourism, and Social Change in an Irish Village.
Finnerty, Michelle (2012) Review of Adam Kaul, Turning the Tune: Traditional Music, Tourism, and Social Change in an Irish Village. Book Reviews [Details]

CD

 YearPublication
(2022)Celebrating 100 Years of Irish Traditional Music at UCC.
Finnerty, Michelle with staff and students of music at UCC (2022) Celebrating 100 Years of Irish Traditional Music at UCC. Clare: CD [Details]
(2006)Blarney Street Beo! CD of music from Scoil Choilmcille, Blarney St. Cork.
Finnerty, Michelle and Lynch, Billy; (2006) Blarney Street Beo! CD of music from Scoil Choilmcille, Blarney St. Cork. Cork: CD [Details]

DVD

 YearPublication
(2006)Cork 2005, Culture and Health Strand DVD, European Capital of Culture.
Cork 2005 & Southern HSE; (2006) Cork 2005, Culture and Health Strand DVD, European Capital of Culture. Cork: DVD [Details]

Editorship

 YearPublication
(2023)Celebrating 100 Years of Irish Traditional Music at UCC.
Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby (2023) Celebrating 100 Years of Irish Traditional Music at UCC. Cork: Editorship [Details]

Encyclopedia Entries

 YearPublication
(2013)Eleanor Shanley Biography.
Finnerty, Michelle (2013) Eleanor Shanley Biography. Dublin:University College Dublin. Encyclopedia Entries. [Details]
(2013)Frankie Lane Biography.
Finnerty, Michelle (2013) Frankie Lane Biography. Dublin:UCD. Encyclopedia Entries. [Details]
(2013)The Fleadh Cowboys.
Finnerty, Michelle (2013) The Fleadh Cowboys. Dublin:UCD. Encyclopedia Entries. [Details]
(2013)Charlie McGettigan Biography.
Finnerty, Michelle (2013) Charlie McGettigan Biography. Dublin:UCD. Encyclopedia Entries. [Details]
(2013)Emer Quinn Biography.
Barry Boydell and Harry White (2013) Emer Quinn Biography. Dublin:UCD. Encyclopedia Entries. [Details]

Invited Review Articles

 YearPublication
(2005)Irish Traditional Music at University College Cork.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2005) Irish Traditional Music at University College Cork. Munster Fleadh Book, Cork: Invited Review Articles [Details]

Newsletter

 YearPublication
(2014)TradCamp 2014 – Young Irish traditional musicians participate in summer camps in Cork City.
Finnerty,Michelle (2014) TradCamp 2014 – Young Irish traditional musicians participate in summer camps in Cork City. ICTM Ireland: Newsletter [Details]
(2011)Meet the Professor: Education Resource to Celebrate the Centenary of the Birth of Aloys Fleischmann.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2011) Meet the Professor: Education Resource to Celebrate the Centenary of the Birth of Aloys Fleischmann. Post Primary Music Teacher's Association of Ireland: Newsletter [Details]
(2010)Fieldtrip Reflections:Sliabh Luachra and Corca Dhuibhne.
Finnerty, Michelle and Kearney, Daithí; (2010) Fieldtrip Reflections:Sliabh Luachra and Corca Dhuibhne. Irish Council of Traditional Music: Newsletter [Details]
(2005)Bridging the Gap: Music at Scoil Cholmcille.
Finnerty, Michelle and Lynch, Billy; (2005) Bridging the Gap: Music at Scoil Cholmcille. Network News: Newsletter [Details]

Performances

 YearPublication
(2017)Early years live music interactive participatory performances.
Finnerty, Michelle (2017) Early years live music interactive participatory performances. Cork: Performances [Details]
(2008)Community Performance Research Series Arts and Health 2008.
Finnerty, Michelle (2008) Community Performance Research Series Arts and Health 2008. Performances [Details]
(2008)Community Performance Research Series Arts and Health 2008.
Finnerty, Michelle (2008) Community Performance Research Series Arts and Health 2008. Performances [Details]

Performances (Music)

 YearPublication
(2022)Fuaim: Celebrating 100 Years of ITM at UCC Concert.
Finnerty, Michelle with staff and students of music at UCC (2022) Fuaim: Celebrating 100 Years of ITM at UCC Concert. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2014)Cul Cheoil Research Performance Series.
Michelle Finnerty (2014) Cul Cheoil Research Performance Series. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2014)Cul Cheoil Research Performance Series.
Michelle Finnerty (2014) Cul Cheoil Research Performance Series. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2010)Cork Folk Festival Live in the Classroom Series 2010.
Finnerty, Michelle (2010) Cork Folk Festival Live in the Classroom Series 2010. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2009)Cork Folk Festival Live in the Classroom Series 2009.
Michelle Finnerty (2009) Cork Folk Festival Live in the Classroom Series 2009. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2008)- Cork FFestival Live in the Classroom Research Performance Series 2008.
Michelle Finnerty (2008) - Cork FFestival Live in the Classroom Research Performance Series 2008. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2015)Community collaborative performances in arts and health settings.
Finnerty, Michelle (2015) Community collaborative performances in arts and health settings. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2015)Michelle Finnerty and The Connections Ensemble.
Finnerty, Michelle (2015) Michelle Finnerty and The Connections Ensemble. Dunmanaway Community Centre: Performances (Music) [Details]
(2015)A collaborative Irish Traditional Music Performance in Community Contexts.
Michelle Finnerty and the Connection Ensemble (2015) A collaborative Irish Traditional Music Performance in Community Contexts. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2015)Performance of Irish Traditional Music in Community Contexts.
Finnerty, Michelle (2015) Performance of Irish Traditional Music in Community Contexts. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2015)Live Performance of Irish Traditional Music in Arts and Health Settings.
Michelle Finnerty and the Connection Ensemble (2015) Live Performance of Irish Traditional Music in Arts and Health Settings. Share, Cork: Performances (Music) [Details]
(2017)Connections Ensemble 'Trad for the youngest audience' - an Interactive Musical Performance in Early Years Setting.
Finnerty, Michelle (2017) Connections Ensemble 'Trad for the youngest audience' - an Interactive Musical Performance in Early Years Setting. Performances (Music) [Details]
(2016)Connections Ensemble: Early Years Irish traditional music interactive performance, Horizons Montessori.
Finnerty, Michelle (2016) Connections Ensemble: Early Years Irish traditional music interactive performance, Horizons Montessori. Cork: Performances (Music) [Details]
(2015)Connections Ensemble: Early Years Irish traditional music interactive performance.
Finnerty, Michelle (2015) Connections Ensemble: Early Years Irish traditional music interactive performance. Cork: Performances (Music) [Details]
(2012)Connections Ensemble: Early Years Irish traditional music interactive performance, Horizons Montessori.
Finnerty, Michelle (2012) Connections Ensemble: Early Years Irish traditional music interactive performance, Horizons Montessori. Cork: Performances (Music) [Details]

Policy Contribution

 YearPublication
(2017)The Musical Cultures of Children in Ireland.
Finnerty, Michelle (2017) The Musical Cultures of Children in Ireland. Dublin: Policy Contribution   [Details]

Unpublished Reports

 YearPublication
(2017)Sound Beginnings: Creative Practice and Early Years Education.
Finnerty, Michelle (2017) Sound Beginnings: Creative Practice and Early Years Education. Cork: Unpublished Reports [Details]
(2008)Connections: Irish traditional music, song & dance in local community healthcare settings Evaluation Report.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2008) Connections: Irish traditional music, song & dance in local community healthcare settings Evaluation Report. Cork City Arts Council: Unpublished Reports [Details]
(2008)The Connections Report: exploring Irish traditional music through music, song and dance Evaluation Report.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2008) The Connections Report: exploring Irish traditional music through music, song and dance Evaluation Report. The Arts Council of Ireland: Unpublished Reports [Details]
(2006)The Linenhall Research Report: exploring access to Irish traditional music.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2006) The Linenhall Research Report: exploring access to Irish traditional music. The Arts Council of Ireland and The Linenhall Arts Centre: Unpublished Reports [Details]

Thesis/Dissertation

 YearPublication
(2016)Interpreting the musical cultures of children in Ireland: an ethnography exploring children’s perspectives and voices in middle childhood experiences in Cork.
Finnerty, Michelle (2016) Interpreting the musical cultures of children in Ireland: an ethnography exploring children’s perspectives and voices in middle childhood experiences in Cork. University College Cork & St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University: Thesis/Dissertation [Details]
(2008)Connecting Classroom and Community: The Role of Music in Education in Ireland.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2008) Connecting Classroom and Community: The Role of Music in Education in Ireland. University College Cork: Thesis/Dissertation [Details]

Workbook

 YearPublication
(2021)Creative Music Making in Education and Community Contexts.
Finnerty, Michelle (2021) Creative Music Making in Education and Community Contexts. Cork: Workbook [Details]
(2011)Cheolchéim:Introduction to Irish traditional music, song and dance for the early years.
Finnerty, Michelle and Kearney, Daithí; (2011) Cheolchéim:Introduction to Irish traditional music, song and dance for the early years. Cork: Workbook [Details]
(2010)Meet the Professor: Celebrating the Centenary of the birth of Aloys Fleischmann.
Finnerty, Michelle; (2010) Meet the Professor: Celebrating the Centenary of the birth of Aloys Fleischmann. Cork: Workbook [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2018Enhancement Fund Ionaid Bairre, UCC
2016Tiny Voices Research Pilot Project and Publication Award Arts Council of Ireland and Early Childhood Ireland
2010Music Generation Funding Award Music Generation
2010Arts Council Deis Award Arts Council
2005Seán O Riada University College Cork
2005Ireland Canada Riverdance Award Ireland Canada Foundation
2009Arts Council Bursary Award Arts Council of Ireland
2010National Children's Strategy Doctoral Scholarship Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
International Society for Music Education Society Member10-JAN-05 / 31-DEC-10
Society for Music Education in Ireland Assistant Secterary01-JUL-12 / 07-SEP-14
International Council for Traditional Music Society Member/
Irish Council for Traditional Music Society Member/
Society for Musicology in Ireland Member/
Society for Music Education in Ireland Founding Committee Member01-JUL-10 / 01-JUL-11

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2023)Looking Back, Looking Forward Conference: Celebrating 25 Years of Early Years at UCC,
Finnerty, Michelle and Ahern, Leah (2023) Exploring Early Childcare Educators' perspectiveson supporting music for children in Early Years Settings. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Looking Back, Looking Forward Conference: Celebrating 25 Years of Early Years at UCC, UCC , 10-MAR-23 - 10-MAR-23. [Details]
(2021)Society and the Arts in the Pandemic,
Finnerty, Michelle (2021) Musicking During Lockdown: Exploring Young People's Perspectives on their Engagement with Music During Covid 19 Pandemic in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Society and the Arts in the Pandemic, Dundalk Institute of Technology , 30-APR-21 - 30-APR-21. [Details]
(2021)ISSOTL 2021, Australia,
Finnerty, Michelle (2021) Creating community connections: exploring the use of scenario-based teaching methods to support integrative learning for music degree students in a virtual classroom. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], ISSOTL 2021, Australia, Perth, Australia (Online) - 26-OCT-21. [Details]
(2017)Abair Trad: Symposium on Irish traditional music in Creative Ireland,
Michelle Finnerty (2017) Symposium exploring the role and development of Irish traditional music as part of Creative Ireland. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Abair Trad: Symposium on Irish traditional music in Creative Ireland, Red Bard, Youghal. Co. Cork . [Details]
(2014)Society for Music Education in Ireland,
Finnerty,Michelle (2014) Annual Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Society for Music Education in Ireland, Cork School of Music, CIT. Cork , 07-NOV-14 - 09-NOV-14. [Details]
(2014)Society for Music Education in Ireland,
Finnerty,Michelle (2014) Exploring children’s experience of participating in a performance based ensemble of Irish traditional music – a case study of the Ballyphehane Irish Traditional Music Orchestra. [Poster Presentation], Society for Music Education in Ireland, Cork School of Music, CIT. Cork , 07-NOV-14 - 09-NOV-14. [Details]
(2014)Society for Music Education in Ireland,
Finnerty, Michelle; Hargrove, Ruth (2014) Exploring the role of community partnerships in the development of Irish Traditional Music education for children in Ireland. [Poster Presentation], Society for Music Education in Ireland, Cork School of Music, CIT. Cork , 07-NOV-14 - 09-NOV-14. [Details]
(2012)2nd Annual Conference for the Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI),
Finnerty, Michelle (2012) Sounds from within: Listening to Children’s perspectives on their musical worlds. [Poster Presentation], 2nd Annual Conference for the Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI), Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick , 09-NOV-12 - 10-NOV-13. [Details]
(2012)2nd Annual SMEI Conference,
Finnerty,Michelle (2012) SMEI Annual Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 2nd Annual SMEI Conference, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick , 06-NOV-12 - 08-NOV-12. [Details]
(2011)Ist Annual SMEI Conference,
Finnerty,Michelle (2011) 1st Annual Conference for Society for Music Education in Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Ist Annual SMEI Conference, School of Music and Theatre, UCC , 07-NOV-11 - 09-NOV-11. [Details]
(2010)1st Gathering of SMEI / AGM,
Finnerty,Michelle (2010) Launch of SMEI Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 1st Gathering of SMEI / AGM, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra. Dublin , 26-NOV-10 - 28-NOV-10. [Details]
(2012)2nd Annual Conference for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI),
Finnerty, Michelle (2012) SMEI Annual Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 2nd Annual Conference for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI), Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick , 09-NOV-12 - 09-DEC-12. [Details]
(2013)MERYC, 2013 European Network of Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children,
Finnerty, Michelle (2013) Children's Engagment with Music in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], MERYC, 2013 European Network of Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children, The Universityof Hague , 17-JUL-13 - 20-JUL-13. [Details]
(2013)The 8th International Research In Music Education (RIME) Conference,
Finnerty, Michelle (2013) Sounds from within: Listening to Children’s perspectives on their musical worlds. [Oral Presentation], The 8th International Research In Music Education (RIME) Conference, University Of Exeter, UK , 09-APR-13 - 13-APR-13. [Details]
(2011)1st Annual Conference of Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI),
Finnerty, Michelle (2011) SMEI Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], 1st Annual Conference of Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI), Department of Music, UCC , 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11. [Details]
(2011)Researching the Musical Culture of Children in Ireland,
1st Annual Conference of the Society for Music Education in Ireland (2011) SMEI Conference. [Poster Presentation], Researching the Musical Culture of Children in Ireland, Department of Music, UCC , 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11. [Details]
(2011)MERYC 2011,European Network of Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2011) Children's Access to Music Education in Ireland. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], MERYC 2011,European Network of Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children, Helsinki, Finland , 12-JUN-11 - 17-JUN-11. [Details]
(2011)MA in Music Education,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2011) Communities of Music: An Examination of Music in Education in Ireland. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], MA in Music Education, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick , 05-FEB-11 - 06-FEB-11. [Details]
(2010)CACSSS Postgraduate Conference,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2010) Researching the Musical Culture of Children in Ireland. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], CACSSS Postgraduate Conference, University College Cork , 20-NOV-10 - 20-NOV-10. [Details]
(2010)Society of Music Education in Ireland,
Finnerty,Michelle; (2010) Inaugral conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Society of Music Education in Ireland, St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin , 27-NOV-10 - 27-NOV-10. [Details]
(2010)Launch of Fleishmann Exhibition,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2010) Meet the Professor: Introducing the life, work and legacy of Professor Aloys Fleischmann. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Launch of Fleishmann Exhibition, Bishopstown Library, Co. Cork , 04-NOV-10 - 04-NOV-10. [Details]
(2010)Post Primary Music Teacher's Association Annual Conference,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2010) Meet the Professor: An Education Resource for the Junior Cycle Curriculum. [Invited Oral Presentation], Post Primary Music Teacher's Association Annual Conference, Athlone, Co. Westmeath , 16-OCT-10 - 16-OCT-10. [Details]
(2010)Cork City Celebration of Culture Night,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2010) Launch of Meet the Professor Educational Resource. [Invited Oral Presentation], Cork City Celebration of Culture Night, School of Music and Theatre, UCC , 24-SEP-10 - 24-SEP-10. [Details]
(2010)Flexible Learning: National Academy for the Integration of Teaching and Learning,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2010) Making Connections: the use of ethnographic fieldwork to facilitate a model of Integrative Learning. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], Flexible Learning: National Academy for the Integration of Teaching and Learning, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin , 06-OCT-10 - 08-OCT-10. [Details]
(2009)Sociology of Music Education,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2009) Connecting Classroom, School and Community: the role of Music Education in Ireland. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], Sociology of Music Education, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick , 06-JUL-09 - 08-JUL-09. [Details]
(2009)Research in Music Education Conference,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2009) Connecting Classroom and Community: The Role of Agents in the Provision of Music Education in Ireland. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], Research in Music Education Conference, University of Exeter , 14-APR-09 - 18-APR-09. [Details]
(2009)Society of Musicology in Ireland,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2009) Connecting Classroom, School and Community: The Role of Music Education in Ireland. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], Society of Musicology in Ireland, Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin , 09-JUL-09 - 12-JUL-09. [Details]
(2008)World Conference of International Society of Music Education,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2008) Connecting School and Community: the role of music at primary level education in Ireland. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], World Conference of International Society of Music Education, Bologna, Italy , 24-JUL-08 - 24-JUL-08. [Details]
(2007)Sexualities, Textualities, Art and Music in Early Modern Italy,
Committee Member; (2007) Confernce on Sexualities, Textualities, Art and Music in Early Modern Italy. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Sexualities, Textualities, Art and Music in Early Modern Italy, Department of Music, University College Cork , 16-MAY-07 - 19-MAY-07. [Details]
(2007)Society of Musicology in Ireland,
Finnerty, Michelle; Kearney, Daithí; (2007) Musical Pathways: an exploration of music in Cork city. [Poster Presentation], Society of Musicology in Ireland, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin , 13-MAY-07 - 13-MAY-07. [Details]
(2007)Sources of Funding in Irish Traditional Music,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2007) Cork International Folk Festival. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Sources of Funding in Irish Traditional Music, Triscal Arts Centre, Cork City , 01-SEP-07 - 01-SEP-07. [Details]
(2007)UCC Access Programme,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2007) An Overview of music education at tertiary level in Irealand. [Invited Oral Presentation], UCC Access Programme, University College Cork , 01-APR-07 - 01-APR-07. [Details]
(2006)Meithal: Irish Traditional Music Seminar,
Finnerty, Michelle; (2006) Irish Traditional Music Education at Tertiary Level in Irealand. [Oral Presentation], Meithal: Irish Traditional Music Seminar, University College Cork , 01-FEB-06 - 01-FEB-06. [Details]

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
ID+ Project Steering Committee College Representative2022 /
Irish Traditional Music Centenary Committee Committee member2022 / 2023
CACCSS Ethics Committee School Representative2022 / 2025
International Committee Committee Member2021 /
Teaching and Learning Committee Department of Music, UCC2015 /
Irish Council for Traditional Music Tresurer2014 /
Music Generation Cork City Quality Team Committe Member2012 /
Early Years Arts Pilot: Common Ground in partnership with Early Childhood Ireland Research Steering Group2012 /
Early Years Arts Pilot: Common Ground in partnership with Early Childhood Ireland Advisory Committee Member2011 / 2012
Irish Society for Music Education Committee Member2010 /
Cork International Folk Festival Committee Member2005 /

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
UCC Lecturer01-OCT-06 /
Cork College of Commerce, VEC. Lecturer01-JAN-04 / 31-DEC-08
Aston College of Adult Education, Department of Education & Science. Lecturer01-JAN-05 / 31-DEC-08
Bridging the Gap Project Primary Schools, Department of Education, UCC Music Schools Project Co-ordinator01-JAN-01 / 31-DEC-06

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2004University College Cork Bachelor of MusicMusic
2022UCC Masters in Teaching and Learning in Higher EducationTeaching and Learning
2016University College Cork PHDMusic
2021UCC Higher Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher EducationTeaching and Learning
2008University College Cork M.Phil.Music and Education
2009University College Cork Postgrad Cert. in Teaching & Learning in HETeaching and Learning

Languages

 LanguageReadingWritingSpeaking
English
Irish

Consultancy

 ClientDescription
Music Department, St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin
Cork ETB
Music Generation Cork City
Cork ETB
Music Education Provision
Cork County Council
Common Ground in Partnership with Early Childhood Ireland
Consultant to The Arts Council of Ireland, Arts and Health Policy Development Strand
Consultant to the HSE and Waterford Healing Trust on the development of guidelines for artists in Arts and Health Care practice.
Cork International Folk Festival, Cork City
Forefront TV Productions, Cork City
The Linenhall Arts Centre, Co. Mayo
Cork City Council Arts Department

Outreach Activities

 Description

Meet the Professor: Classroom visits to all secondary schools in Cork City as part of the Fleischmann Centenary Celebrations
Funded by Cork City Council
Nov-Dec 2010


Meet the Professor: Classroom visits to all secondary schools in Cork City as part of the Fleischmann Centenary Celebrations Funded by Cork City Council Nov-Dec 2010

Meet the Professor: Classroom visits to all secondary schools in Cork City as part of the Fleischmann Centenary Celebrations Funded by Cork City Council Nov-Dec 2010

School performances have been organised as part of the Cork Internaiotnal Folk Festival and Cork Ceili Mor celebrations. The ensembles feature various Irish traditional artists and have included a number of students and graduates from the School of Music and Theatre.

Cork Folk Festival Live in the Classroom Series 2008-2010
School performances have been organised as part of the Cork Internaiotnal Folk Festival and Cork Ceili Mor celebrations.  The ensembles feature various Irish traditional artists and have included a number of students and graduates from the School of Music and Theatre.


Outreach visits to various community and health care contexts in Cork Funded by Cork City Council and Arts Council of Ireland

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
Educational Studies Association Of Ireland Peer Reviewer01-SEP-21 - 30-JUN-23
Irish Journal Of Education Peer Reviewer01-APR-23 - 19-MAY-23
Cambridge University Press & Cork University Press Peer Reviewer01-JUN-22 - 19-MAY-23

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Teaching areas include:
Music Education
Community music
Early Years Arts Education
Inclusive Practice
Irish Traditional Music
Popular Musics in Ireland
Music and Culture
Research methods in music education and community contexts


Postgraduate Supervision areas include:
Irish Traditional Music
Music  Education
Early Years Education
Creative Practice in Community Music

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2021Nada Ní Chuirrín NUI (UCC)Eispéireas Mná: An Cleachtas Cruthaitheach sa Damhsa ar an Sean-nós
2018Kaylie Streit UCCExploring the creative processes of cellists who perform Irish traditional music
2023Leah Ahern UCCExploring Childcare Practitioners Perspectives' on music in early year settings in Ireland
2022Grace Hogan NUI (UCC)Teachers' Perspectives of the Role of Music and Creativity in Music Teaching and Learning in the Irish Primary Level Classroom: Exploring Policy, Curriculum and Practice
2018Paul Clesham NUI (UCC)Exploring the interconnections between Irish traditional music and classical music

Research Information

External Collaborators

 NameOrganisation / InstituteCountry
Music In Community Music In CommunityIRELAND
Maria Elena Riano University of CantabriaSPAIN
Music Generation Cork County Council and Cork ETBIRELAND
Common Ground Early Childhood Ireland and DCUIRELAND
Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo Linenhall Arts Centre, MayoIRELAND
Music Generation Cork City Music Generation Cork CityIRELAND

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University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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