It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of our dear former colleague Helen Mahoney.
Helen joined Live Music Now in 2014 as North East Director, a role she held for seven years. During that time, she developed and led an extensive programme of high-quality accessible performances and creative music projects across Yorkshire and the North East. These took place in hundreds of partner venues including special schools, residential and day care settings, and community centres. Helen also played a crucial role in the training and professional development of over 50 Live Music Now musicians in inclusive music practice.
A highly accomplished fundraiser, researcher and consultant, Helen held an MA in Social Research from the University of York. For over a decade, she ran her own consultancy service Bloom Arts. Recently, she had completed a research project and report, ‘Developing the Rural Creative & Cultural Landscape’, which focused on rural North Yorkshire and was funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Karen Irwin, Live Music Now Strategic Director, shared, “Helen was an inspirational colleague, bringing great clarity of thought and creativity to the role. As Director of Live Music Now North East, she enabled thousands of children, young people and older adults to engage with and enjoy music-making. Her passion for improving access to high quality arts shone through everything she did, as did her joyful spirit and sense of fun.”
Helen had very recently become a trustee of AMP , a youth music development charity in North Yorkshire, with which Live Music Now has had a long partnership. Throughout her time at Live Music Now, she worked closely with the AMP team including sharing an office for many years. At the request of Helen and her family, donations in her memory can be made to AMP here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/helenmahoney-amp-music .
Helen dealt with her health challenges with resilience and candor, raising awareness of the difficulties encountered by many people within the system. We send much sympathy to her family as we remember her wonderful contribution to music and the arts across Yorkshire.
