Dr Liz Mellor
Reader in Music and Applied Arts
Liz originally studied clarinet, piano and specialised in
composition at Birmingham University (1978-81). She studied
PGCE Secondary Music at Homerton College, University of Cambridge
(1982). Working as a full time teacher and lecturer she studied
part-time to achieve M.Ed. Creative Arts, University of Exeter
(1989) and PhD, University of Leicester(1999). In 2006 she attained
a Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the
Arts (Institute of Arts in Education and Therapy, University of
London Metropolitan) and is currently a GPTI training contract
member of the GPTI (Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute:
Manchester Gestalt Centre).
She has extensive experience of teaching music in schools and
co-ordinating the music curriculum from 3-18 years. She has taught
on a range of university undergraduate and postgraduate music and
teacher training courses. From 1993 -2000 Liz was a Senior
Lecturer in Music and Music Education at Homerton College/Faculty
of Education, Cambridge University for B.A. (QTS), PGCE Primary,
PGCE Secondary Music. She has worked on a range of Advanced
Diplomas in Music Education and Masters degrees. At YSJU she
teaches on a range of modules including Community Music, Music
Education and supervises dissertations on a range of interests
including music education, music therapy, music and social
inclusion, music and identity. Her work also includes PhD
consultation and external undergraduate, PGCE, and PhD
examining.
Her research is recognised within the national and international
music education community. She has been a member of the NFER
Steering Group: Research Project ‘The Arts in the Primary School’
and her work with the European Union VERONIKA Project on music and
social inclusion has led to a long term international collaboration
between University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich and York
St. John University. She has contributed to a range of conferences
in the UK, Europe, USA and Australia and has been invited to give
research seminars and papers in a range of University Graduate
Research Schools. Liz has published a range of articles from her
research and stands on the Editorial Board of the International
Journal of Music Education Research. Liz was an elected member of
the council of EAS (European Association for School Music) and is
currently the regional Yorkshire and Humberside
representative for NAME (National Association for Music
Education).
Liz also plays tenor sax having played in a tribute band ‘The
Other Commitments’! Her compositions have included work with Forma
Da Dance in Portugal, dance commissions and vocal compositions. As
a conductor she has worked with a range of orchestral and vocal
ensembles. In York St John she is Musical Director for St.
Margaret’s Singers an all female choir, which has a wide ranging
repertoire. Liz’s work with the choir also encourages student
female conductors, arrangers and singer-song writers.
Liz’s PhD is on Aesthetic Perception in Music Education with
reference to composition. Post-doctoral research interests have
developed mixed-method research methodologies to investigate
aspects of music education, creativity and collaboration in
composition and performance in a range of contexts.
Her recent Research Fellowship Award for C4C: CETL (Collaboration
for Creativity) researches Singing, Health and Well-Being working
in partnership with the National SING-UP campaign in York and
NHS York District Hospital. Her research in this area also combines
Music Education, Arts and Health to include phenomenological and
reflexive research methodologies.
Liz is a member of the Faculty of Arts Research Committee. She
wrote the university’s RAE Performing Arts submission for the
University (2001), and currently co-facilitates the Faculty of Arts
Research Seminar Series R@DAR.
She is available to supervise Music Education and Applied Music
PhD’s at York St. John University in partnership with Leeds
University.