Sophie Lee

Dr. Sophie Lee serves as a Lecturer and Musicianship & Early Years Coordinator at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM). She holds a PhD in Music Therapy from the University of Limerick (2021), an MSc in Performance Science (Royal College of Music, 2018), and a First-Class Honours degree in Music from Trinity College Dublin (2015). Her expertise spans music education, healthcare applications of music, and dementia care through singing interventions.

Education:

• B.A. (Music), Trinity College Dublin, 2015
• Licentiate (Piano Teaching), Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2015
• MSc (Performance Science), Royal College of Music, 2018
• PhD (Music Therapy), University of Limerick, 2021

Research interests focus on music's role in health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults and dementia populations. She pioneered RIAM's baby/toddler music courses (2019–present) and leads the Soothing Sounds Live Music Programme at Tallaght University Hospital. Her work emphasizes collaborative, community-based interventions.

Scientific Awards:

• Senior Pianoforte Solo (Feis Ceoil, 2015)
• Elsner Memorial Cup (Feis Ceoil, 2016)
• MSc Distinction (Royal College of Music, 2018)

Advising & Grants: Dr. Lee has led multiple research projects, including Irish Research Council-funded dementia studies. She serves on the Board of Sing Ireland and collaborates with organizations like Breathe Arts Health Research UK and Children’s Health Ireland.

Labs/Teams: Core member of RIAM’s Musicianship faculty; active in interdisciplinary healthcare music initiatives.