I began my career in private sector education in 2002, facilitating music exploration and creation workshops for primary and post-primary students across Ireland. This work included collaborations with organizations such as Foroige, Youthreach, GYDP, and The Brothers of Charity. During this time, I was also a full-time professional musician, touring extensively throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe, and in 2007 I opened my recording studio enterprise, Lakeland Studios, Glasson.
In 2011, I was fortunate enough to join the University and started my formal education journey through the invaluable Department of Lifelong Learning in 2012. I completed my Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) here in Athlone, followed by an MA in Creative Music Technologies at NUI Maynooth. I am currently an emerging researcher in the Doctorate in Higher & Adult Education programme at NUI Maynooth, which I will complete in 2027.
I am a strong proponent of the emancipation of education in inclusive, discursive, and dialogical learning environments. This belief has informed my emerging research on the lived experiences of Irish professional musicians, which I intend to document using musically enhanced narrative inquiry through songwriting and music production.
View Michael’s Linkedin here