Meet The Team

Artistic Team

Gavin Maloney
Conductor, Symphony Orchestra

  • Gavin Maloney is one of Ireland’s foremost musicians. He is Associate Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and has a long-standing relationship with the National Symphony Orchestra and Choirs.  

    After training at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Mozarteum, Salzburg, at the age of 21, Gavin successfully competed for the position of Assistant Conductor of the then RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. He was the inaugural beneficiary of the Bryden Thomson Trust, through whose support he studied at the Danish National Opera, and the Lucerne Festival Academy of Pierre Boulez. He has conducted all the leading orchestras and ensembles in Ireland as well as conducting in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK.  

    His distinguished collaborations with classical artists include Gabriela Montero, Tara Erraught, Barry Douglas, Ailish Tynan, John O’Conor, Chloë Hanslip, Hugh Tinney, Finghin Collins and Alban Gerhardt. In the NCH International Concert Series in 2017, he appeared with Maxim Vengerov, who has described him as ‘a great maestro’.  

    Gavin has for several years been bringing Irish music to new audiences, including conducting the world premiere of Bill Whelan’s Linen and Lace with soloist Sir James Galway in 2014. He made a major contribution to Composing the Island in 2016, an RTÉ/NCH festival exploring a century of Irish music and in 2019 he conducted RTÉ lyric fm’s 20th Birthday Gala celebration. 

    Gavin formerly directed the National Symphony Orchestra’s signature contemporary music series, Horizons. In recent months he conducted world premieres of works by composers Deirdre Gribbin and Raymond Deane, and significant Irish premieres of music by John Rutter and Kaija Saariaho. His recordings on the NMC and RTÉ lyric fm labels have earned critical acclaim, including that of Gramophone magazine, and his concerts have been broadcast by the BBC, RTÉ, the European Broadcasting Union, Shanghai East Radio, and radio stations in North America and Australia.  

Gavin Maloney

Kevin Corcoran
Conductor, Concert Orchestra

  • Kevin is an acclaimed ensemble and solo percussionist with experience in classical, band and stage performances. In recent years he has begun the transition to conducting. A collaborative and creative person, Kevin enjoys leading the music making process in an enjoyable yet challenging way.

    Kevin began his musical journey as a child studying percussion under the guidance of the late Monica Bonnie in TU Dublin. After school, he undertook a Bachelors of Music in UCD, where he attained orchestral scholarships. Kevin completed a Masters in Percussion Performance in Cork School of Music in 2015, followed by a Masters in Conducting in TU Dublin in 2020, under the tutelage of David Brophy. In 2012 Kevin was appointed as a percussionist in the Defence Forces School of Music where he currently holds the rank of Corporal in the Army No. 1 Band. As a freelance percussionist Kevin frequently performs with ensembles such as RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Irish National Opera, Dublin Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra.

    Kevin has had the opportunity to conduct numerous ensembles including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Army No. 1 Band, Lourdes Brass Band, Gonzaga College Orchestra and the TU Dublin Senior Wind Ensemble. Since taking on the role of Conductor with St. James’ Brass and Reed Band in 2022, Kevin has had the pleasure of leading the band in many performances, with highlights including Áras an Uachtaráin and Farmleigh House.

Kevin Corcoran

Molly de Búrca
Conductor, Intermediate Orchestra

  • Molly de Búrca recently earned a Master’s degree in Music Performance (flute) from HKU Utrechts Conservatorium in the Netherlands. She previously graduated with a first-class honours in the Bachelor of Music Education programme jointly offered by Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin Conservatoire, specialising in flute performance under Ciarán O’Connell.

    In November 2024, Molly undertook a study exchange at the University of Georgia, focusing on wind ensemble conducting with Dr. Nicholas Williams. In 2021, Molly was appointed Studio Conductor with the Irish National Opera for the 2021/2022 season, culminating in a showcase at the Gaiety Theatre where she conducted the INO orchestra and soloists. Her earlier conducting experience includes participation in the 2019 Female Conductor Programme at the National Concert Hall, studying under Alice Farnham, Sian Edwards, and David Brophy, and leading a masterclass with the National Symphony Orchestra. She has also conducted the Trinity Orchestra, Dublin Concert Band, Cork Concert Orchestra, Julianstown Youth Orchestra, Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, and the Artane Band.

    As a flautist, Molly has won the Feis Ceoil Senior Flute Competition, performed as soloist with Trinity Orchestra and played in the Utrecht Student Orchestra, City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra, Cork Concert Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, and the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble. She has also participated in masterclasses with acclaimed flautists Adam Walker, Peter Verhoyen, and Joshua Batty. Alongside her performance career, Molly is a dedicated and enthusiastic music educator and teacher. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians and fostering a lifelong love of music in her students.

Molly de Búrca

Orla Mulrey
Conductor, Junior Strings

  • Orla is a lecturer in violin at the TU Dublin Conservatoire of Music and Drama. An experienced performer and pedagogue, she has a strong passion for aiding the development of young string players through their ensemble playing. Drawing from her own experience, Orla seeks to give young string players the best possible introduction to ensemble playing, focusing on producing a good string sound and team work within their ensemble.

    Orla has performed with the New Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Cecelia, the National Symphony Orchestra, and in chamber music projects with colleagues in TU Dublin Conservatoire. As a teacher, Orla has directed Prelude Strings and Sinfonietta in TU Dublin for a number of years. She began working with DYO Junior Strings  in 2024 and she forward to working with the young string players and encouraging them to explore and develop their ensemble skills.

Orla Mulrey

Management Team

Wendy Arlow
Chief Operating Officer

  • Wendy started her career in Financial Services and has worked in various roles over a 20 year period. Her career evolved into customer relations where she was responsible for overseeing the implementation of new statutory legislation within her organisation.

    After the birth of her third child in 1997, she decided to take a break from full-time work. However, when one of her children joined Dublin Youth Orchestras in 2006 she volunteered her services to DYO to undertake various roles ranging from catering to orchestra supervision and ultimately becoming Office Administrator.

    In 2010 she was appointed General Manager of DYO, and is responsible for overseeing the operational activities of the four orchestras comprising approximately 400 players, professional tutors and approximately 50 regular volunteers. Wendy’s role covers all areas including event management of all public performances, tour preparation, child protection, Garda vetting, legal compliance, data protection, PR and liaison with volunteers, players and parents. Wendy has been appointed as DYO’s Designated Liaison Person with responsibility for Child protection.

Wendy Arlow

Volunteer Operations Team Members 2026/27

Junior Strings

  • Managers: Roisín Heneghan, Simon Maguire

Intermediate Orchestra

  • Managers: Rachel Cody, Julie O'Leary

Concert Orchestra

  • Managers: Agnieszka Lipinska, Lisa Riordan

Symphony Orchestra

  • Managers: Edel McDonnell, Deirdre O'Donovan

Board of Directors

Jim Clery
Director

  • Jim is a father of five, three of whom have been very active members of several DYO Orchestras, including a co-leader of the Symphony Orchestra. He has been a partner in KPMG for over 20 years and is an experienced board member having been, among other things, a Board member of the Gate Theatre for over seven years. As the only non-musician in his home, Jim uses his experience as both a non-exec director and a chartered accountant to assist the board of the DYO.

Jim Clery

Ciarán Crilly
Chair

  • Ciarán is Associate Professor of Orchestral Conducting in UCD, where he was Head of the School of Music from 2018 to 2023. He has been Artistic Director of the UCD Symphony Orchestra since its foundation in 2002, directing over 50 performances, including concerts in Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK. Ciarán has conducted concerts with orchestras in Ireland and abroad, including Baden Sinfonietta, Dublin Baroque Players, Hibernian Orchestra, RIAM Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Royal Academic Orchestra, and Symphony New Hampshire. He is co-editor—with Dr Róisín Blunnie from DCU—of Perspectives in Conducting, published in 2024 by Routledge.

Ciarán Crilly

Brian Curtin
Director

Brian Curtin

James Forrest
Director

  • James is originally from Dublin. He works as a post primary teacher in a Community school in Co. Meath teaching Maths and Physics. He has a keen interest in classical music. He has supported the Intermediate Orchestra team and managed the Symphony Orchestra. James has been a member of the Board since 2017. He has travelled on many tours with the DYO. He lives in Co. Meath with his wife and daughter who is a violinist and former DYO member.

James Forrest

Eimear Lacey
Director

  • Eimear Lacey is a former member of DYO and now the parent of a young person in the orchestra. As a social worker, with over 20 years’ experience in the area of child protection and welfare she continues to work in front line services as both a manager and directly with children and their families/carers. Eimear is also involved in conducting research and service development.  She has long standing working relationships and experience across statutory, public and non-government sector. Her experience in leadership and service delivery brings a clear focus on governance issues to her involvement in DYO.

Eimear Lacey

Niamh Ní Leathlobhair
Director

  • Bio

Martina Rosaria O’Connell
Director

  • Martina Rosaria O’Connell is an Irish Italian flautist and music educator.  She holds a Master's in Flute Performance and a First Class Honours Degree in Music Education from the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College Dublin. Martina has refined her skills through various prestigious training programs, including the Camerata Ireland Academy, Galway Flute Academy, and the Saline Royale Academy in France, where she was awarded a scholarship by RIAM. In addition to her performance career, Martina is deeply committed to music education. She is the Head of Education at the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival and has recently taken on the role of Assistant Orchestra Manager with the Irish Baroque Orchestra.

Martina Rosaria O’Connell

David O’Doherty
Director

  • David O'Doherty began studying violin at RIAM. with Maeve Broderick and later with Geraldine O’Grady. He then enrolled in CSM to study with Adrian Petcu. From the age of 17 he studied with Ronald Masin and graduated with a B.Mus Perf from DIT Conservatoire.

    At Lausanne Conservatoire, he studied with Pierre Amoyal and Jean Jaquerod receiving a Premier Prix de Virtuosité. At Geneva Conservatoire he specialised in Sonata Performance with Gui-Michel Caillat and then specialized in Quartet Performance with Gabor Takacs-Nagy. With the Byron Quartet he graduated with honors and continued at the C.N.R Paris with the Ysaÿe Quartet.

    David made his American debut on the Boston Radio show “Morning pro Musica” and a year later his soloist’s debut with the NSOI. He has released seven albums.

    A lecturer at TUDublin Conservatoire, David is a recitalist, concert soloist and chamber musician. He has performed throughout Europe, notably at Paderewski Hall, Lausanne, Salle Gabriel Fauré, Paris, Zürcher Kammerorchester Haus, Zurich, the National Concert Hall, Dublin and Chopin Hall, Warsaw.

    David is co-founder of “Reflecting Strings” Harp Trio with Moya O’Grady and Geraldine O’Doherty. David is also co-founder of Trio Paderewski with Catherina Lemoni and Francesco Bartoletti.

David O’Doherty

Deirdre O’Donovan
Director

  • Before assuming the challenging and busy role of mother to 4 lively children, Deirdre worked in the areas of engineering, management consultancy and telecommunications in business support, process development, training and general management. She has a BA Hons in French, Spanish & Portuguese from Trinity College Dublin. She now works with her husband running a family business where she looks after the accounts, payroll, marketing and human resources of their small company. Deirdre was a founding member of the Kildare branch of the National Parents’ Council Primary and represented Ireland as a delegate at the European Parents Association in Prague in 2015. In July 2019 she was nominated by the NPC Primary to the board of Kildare Wicklow Education & Training Board where she serves currently.

Deirdre O’Donovan

Alan Kelly
Director

  • Alan Kelly has over 20 years management experience in the sport sector in Ireland and is a former manager of the National Golf Academy at Carton House. He is currently the General Manager at Newlands Golf Club in Dublin.

    A former director and chairperson of Sing Ireland, Alan is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama and is musical director of Millicent Singers.

Alan Kelly

Honorary President

Joanna Crooks

A former manager of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, Dr Joanna Crooks founded Dublin Youth Orchestras in 1981, the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras (IAYO) in 1994, the Jeunesses Musicales Ireland in 1995, and devised the IAYO Festival of Youth Orchestras in 1996. She has played many key executive roles since then to ensure their consistent success. Joanna has toured all over Europe, in Canada and in the USA with the youth orchestras, giving young Irish musicians invaluable international experience. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate from NUI Maynooth for her work at the forefront of youth orchestra development in Ireland. 

Joanna Crooks