Sarah McCleave

Dr. Sarah McCleave is a Senior Lecturer in Musicology & Composition at the School of Arts, English and Languages, Queen's University Belfast. She supervises student projects across undergraduate, MA, and doctoral levels and accepts PhD applications in areas including G.F. Handel, Thomas Moore, London theatre history (c.1725-1825), Music in Ireland (c.1750-1850), and the 19th-century book trade.

• Current project: 'Fame and the Female Dancer' (2020-present)
• Former project: 'Europe's Reception of the Irish Melodies and National Airs: Thomas Moore in Europe' (ERIN, 2015-2017)

Her research explores the transmission of dance and song between 1720-1860, spanning source studies, reception history, gender studies, and biography. Key themes include:

• Professionalisation of theatre dance (female performers)
• Reciprocal relations between London theatre genres
• Thomas Moore's publishing impact
• Handel's extra-musical influences

Recent publications focus on dancer networks, portraiture, and Moore's cultural legacy. Awards include the Howard D. Rothschild Fellowship (2020), Anthony Denning Award (2012), and 'Music and Letters' Award (2005). She served as Deputy Editor for Theatre Notebook (2010-2018) and collaborates extensively with European repositories.