Dr. Maria Varvarigou
Research interests
- Inclusive music pedagogies and innovative teaching practices.
- The relationship between music, health, and well-being across the lifecourse.
- Intergenerational and community-based music-making.
- International music education programmes in Higher Education
More information
Maria Varvarigou is a musician and music educator, currently serving as a Lecturer in Postgraduate Studies at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Ireland. Her research expertise spans international and UK-funded projects, focusing on the impact of music-making on pedagogy and professional development, and health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. She has a deep understanding of choral, and general music pedagogy, as well as intergenerational music-making. Her work fosters a connection between higher education, professional music education, and community involvement.
From 2020 to 2024, Maria held the role of Area Coordinator for Music Education at MIC, where she provided strategic leadership in curriculum development and music pedagogy. Prior to this, she was a Senior Lecturer in Music at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. During her tenure there, she mentored and assessed staff for Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2018). She also held key administrative roles, including Director of International Exchange Programmes and Erasmus for the Schools of Arts and Humanities (2017–2018), and Study Abroad Coordinator (2014–2016).
Maria has also developed ‘sensory musicking,’ an innovative, inclusive pedagogical approach that promotes music-making and learning in primary schools and community settings. Her current research focuses on inclusive music pedagogies and their applications across diverse learning environments. Maria has co-authored two books: Active Ageing with Music: Supporting Wellbeing in the Third and Fourth Ages (2014), published by the Institute of Education University Press, and Contexts for Music Learning and Participation: Developing and Sustaining Musical Possible Selves Through Informal, Non-Formal and Formal Practices (2020), published by Palgrave.
Education
Ph.D. in Education (Music); Department of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Culture and Pedagogy, Institute of Education (IoE), University of London (UK). 2009
M.A. in Music (Performance Practice); Department of Music, University of York (UK). 2004
B.Mus. with integrated Masters in Music, Department of Music, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece. 2003
Professional Education
Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP). Mary Immaculate College, Limerick [First class Honours] (2022-23)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) badge, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (2022)
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for Music, Department for Education, United Kingdom (2015)
Professional Certificate of Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education. UCL Institute of Education, University of London (with this certificate I was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy - FHEA) (2011); I was awarded a Senior Fellowship (SFHEA) in 2016
Professional Appointments
2024 - present, Lecturer in Postgraduate Studies, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland
2020 – 2024, Lecturer in Music Education, Department of Arts Education and Physical Education, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland
2018 – present, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Music Science and Art, University of Macedonia, Greece
2012 – 2020, Senior Lecturer in Music, School of Music and Performing Arts, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
2009 – 2012, Postdoctoral researcher, UCL Institute of Education, UK
2006 – 2010, Music teacher (St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Schools, and St. Sophia Greek School, London
Publications
Books
Creech, A., Hallam, S., Varvarigou, M. and H. McQueen (2014). Active Aging with Music: supporting wellbeing in the Third and Fourth Ages. IoE Press.
A detailed list of all publications, presentations in international and national conferences and symposia, and doctoral supervision record can be found in ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5674-8849)
Awards and Honours (selected)
2023: Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) 2022-23 project award
https://www.mic.ul.ie/lead/case-studies/tracking-development-as-choral-music-leaders?index=0
2016: Canterbury Christ Church University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Research Prize for Excellent Research Outputs from the academic year 2015/16
2016: Canterbury Christ Church University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Prize for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
2015: Canterbury Christ Church University, Student Union’s Golden Apple Awards Runner Up
Grants and Fellowships
2006 – 2009: A. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation Scholarship in Music Education (Funding for Doctoral Studies)
2004: University of York, UK, Vinson Award (Funding for Doctoral Studies)
2003: University of York, UK, John Paynter Award (Funding for MA Studies)
2003: University of York, UK, Young Musicians Fund Scholarship (Funding for MA Studies)
Invited Talks (selected) (Please see ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5674-8849)
for a detailed list)
Varvarigou, M. (2024). 'Fostering singers' creative agency in choral rehearsals', Symposium: We Must Create – Transformation and Youth Choral Music. Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), Dublin, Ireland, 18 October.
Varvarigou, M. (2019). ‘Fostering musical autonomy through playing by ear from recordings’, University of Edinburgh, Reid School of Music, Edinburgh, UK, 17 January.
Varvarigou, M. (2018). ‘Fostering musical autonomy through playing by ear from recordings’, SOAS, London, UK, 10 October.
Varvarigou, M. (2016). ‘Who tutors our choral conductors?’ Academy of Music, Wroclaw, Poland. 26 October.
Varvarigou, M. (2015). ‘Informal learning practices of popular musicians within music classroom and in one to one tuition.’ Royal College of Music, London, UK. 11 March.
Varvarigou, M. (2013). ‘Ear Playing in the instrumental lesson: learning styles and teaching strategies’, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA, 12-17 September.
Research Experience
Developing sensory musicking as inclusive pedagogy: practices, benefits, and challenges (2024-2025), Principal investigator, MIC
Inclusive music pedagogies: an integrative review (2024-2025), Principal Co-Investigator with Professor Andrea Creech, McGill University, Canada
ETHNO Research: Pedagogy and Professional Development (2020-2021), York St. John’s University and Jeunesses Musicales International, Lead Researcher https://www.ethnoresearch.org/meet-the-team/at-a-glance/
Creative later-life in a digital age: mobilizing music and creative technologies for inclusive later life musical learning and participation, creative expression, digital literacy and quality of life (2018-2021), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Collaborator
Mapping the musical lifecourse: Advancing theoretical frameworks and methodologies for understanding emergent affordances, challenges, and constraints across the musical lifecourse (2017-18), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada – Connection Grant, Collaborator
Arts-Based Service Learning in Higher Music Education (2014-2017), Canterbury Christ Church University, Principal Investigator
Group Playing by Ear in Higher Music Education (2013-2015), Canterbury Christ Church University, Principal Investigator
Ear-playing in the instrumental lesson: an approach based on popular musicians’ learning practices (2011-2012), Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Post-doctoral Researcher, http://earplaying.ioe.ac.uk/
Music for Life Project: Maximising the benefits of participation in music amongst older people: Developing a skilled workforce (2011-2012), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) & New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA), Post-doctoral researcher
Music for Life Project: Promoting social engagement and wellbeing in older people through community supported participation in musical activities (2009-2011), ESRC New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, Post-doctoral researcher
London Music Education Audit, Greater London Authority (2011-2012), Researcher
Evaluation of LSO Discovery, London Symphony Orchestra (2008 – 2010), Researcher
Evaluation of music training programme for Key Stage 1 primary teachers, EMI Music Sound Foundation (2007-2008), Researcher
Practising as a predictor of learning outcomes in instrumental music (2006-2008), Institute of Education, University of London, Researcher
Service to Profession (selected)
External Examiner for Academic Programmes
2023 – 2026: Atlantic Technological University, Sligo; Undergraduate Programme BA English and Psychology
2019 – 2023: Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance; Postgraduate Programmes: The Teaching Musician (TTM) and MA in Music Education and Performance (MAMEP) (PG Cert, PG Dip, MA)
PhD / MA / M. Res Examinations
2024: University of British Columbia, Canada; University of Laval, Quebec, Canada; University of Western Sydney, Australia; KU Leuven, LUCA School of the Arts, Belgium; Guildhall School of Music and Drama, UK.
2023: Dublin City University, Dublin; Mary Immaculate College, University College Cork (UCC)
2022: UCL Institute of Education, London; Mary Immaculate College
2020: UCL Institute of Education; The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, UK; Canterbury Christ Church University
2019: Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium, Australia
2017: McGill University, Canada
2016: Victoria University, Australia; UCL Institute of Education; Canterbury Christ Church University.
Editorial roles
Member of the Editorial Board for International Journal of Community Music, Intellect Publications (2021- current)
Assistant Editor for Psychology of Music (POM) (2017 – 2022)
Guest Editor with Hilary McQueen for the London Review of Education journal (Volume 15, Issue 3, 2017) – Special Issue: Music Education in Context
Departmental / University Service
M. Ed Music Education Specialism Coordinator, (2023 – ongoing)
Leading on the section around ‘Student Experience’ as part of the AEPE Quality Review (2022)
AEPE Data Champion for Information Compliance Office, (2021 – 2024)
Member of the Faculty of Education Ethics Committee, (2021 – 2024)
Mentoring one Work Placement student, (2021 – 2022)
Canterbury Christ Church University (2012 – 2020)
Director of International Exchange programs and Erasmus (internationalising the curriculum), (2017-2018)
Member of the Teaching and Learning and Student Experience Committee, (2014-2019)
Study Abroad Coordinator, (2014-2016)
British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) CCCU Advocacy Scheme Coordinator, (2015-2016)
Community involvement / Outreach
Sensory musicking workshops at Scoil Mhathair Dé. (March and April 2024)
CPD workshop on sensory musicking with school staff (n=30) at Scoil Mhathair Dé, upon invitation from the Principal. (April 2023)
Sensory musicking workshops at Scoil Mhathair Dé. (March 2023)
Arts-Based Service Learning programme on the impact on music on wellbeing, Canterbury, UK. (2013 -2017)
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Senior Fellowship Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2016 to date.
Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA), 2010 to date.
Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI), 2021 to date.
International Music Education Research Centre (iMERC) http://www.imerc.org/, 2009 to date.
Greek Society for Music Education (GSME), 2008 to date.
International Society for Music Education (ISME), 2007 to date.
