Katharine is a co-founder and the CEO of Athenry Music School, a not-for-profit community music school that houses eight orchestras and choirs, a chamber music programme, and serves over 600 students. She is ardent in her promotion of youth ensemble music making having founded her first youth orchestra 30 years ago. She continues to conduct and compose as director of the Athenry Youth Orchestra programme and is a co-founder and Director of the OURchestra Summer Camp.

Katharine is an active chamber musician and orchestral player; a founding member of Luminosa Orchestra and was appointed 1st deputy fiddle player of the Irish Memory Orchestra in 2017. She also enjoys playing with Vespera, Galway’s Baroque Orchestra, and is an avid traditional fiddler. She is passionate about increasing quality and access to all levels of music education and promoting opportunities for professional development.

She joined the first IMO Apprentice Scheme in 2013. She was then appointed deputy fiddle player, performing in the 2014 World Premiere of Dave Flynn’s Mná Brian Boru in Killaloe. In 2017 she performed in the premiere of Flynn’s 1st Symphony ‘The Memory Symphony’ at Christ Church Cathedral.

She has been mentor to IMO Youth Strings during the Apprentice Schemes.

Katharine was recently appointed to the board of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras.