Cathy grew up in the south of England, singing and playing the violin. She studied Music at Cardiff University, where she discovered Welsh cultural traditions and Creative Learning through an internship with the brilliant Welsh National Opera education team.
She went on to complete a PGCE in Secondary Music at Cardiff Metropolitan University, while producing for Big Talent Drama School and Agency. After several years’ teaching music in primary and secondary schools, including as head of department, Cathy returned to the arts sector and studied MA in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy with Distinction at Goldsmiths University of London.
Whilst in London, Cathy combined professional choral singing with arts producing, delivering inclusion and access programmes for the British Council, Wigmore Hall and Royal Opera House. She led large-scale strategic projects for young singers with Gabrieli Consort and Players, London Youth Choirs and the Voices Foundation, and consulted on Creative Learning and Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion with organisations including Music Mark, Music for Youth, Music Education Council, Ty Cerdd, Sistema England, Waltham Forest Borough of Culture, and Coventry City of Culture. Singing has taken her worldwide from international touring and sessions at Abbey Road, regular performances at The Ritz, to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with the Rolling Stones.
Cathy moved to Scotland to lead Creative Crieff as Executive Director, where she led a complex strategic community development capital project and launched community radio station Heartland FM. Moving to the University of Glasgow to lead music programming, she significantly expanded Music in the University’s programme, partnerships and audiences whilst earning an Executive MBA Arts Innovation with Distinction from the Global Leaders Institute for Arts Innovation. Since then, Cathy has consulted for Creative Scotland, Tricolor Associates, Music for All, PRS Foundation, Arcangelo, Gabrieli and RIG Arts. Passionate about innovation and strategy, she has also held Trustee positions since 2012 for the European Music Council, European Choral Association, UK Music Education Council, Concerto Caledonia and Music Broth, contributing to European and UK music and music education policy and programmes.
At Love Music, Cathy is National Programmes Manager, developing exciting programmes including Scotland Sings, Sing for Wellbeing, and Inspiring Artists. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, nature walks and wild swimming.