Pam Black
Pam Black is the Education Support Officer for CREATE within Glasgow Education Services, where she leads the strategic development and management of the city’s Instrumental Music Service, Youth Music Initiative (YMI), and Art, Dance, and Drama education across all levels. She manages a dedicated team of 60 full-time instrumental instructors and 8 full-time YMI staff.
A passionate advocate for arts-based learning, Pam is committed to ensuring access and equity for all children and young people in Glasgow through innovative, sustainable projects. These include initiatives such as Baby Strings & Ready Steady Sing which sit alongside a comprehensive instrumental and vocal programme and citywide ensemble opportunities. Her leadership has also seen the reintroduction of piping tuition, culminating in the formation of a thriving new pipe band. Strategic partnership working under her guidance has significantly expanded opportunities and access to arts education in schools.
Under Pam’s direction, the music service now provides weekly lessons to over 8,000 young people and delivers high-quality CLPL (Career-Long Professional Learning) opportunities for teachers across the city.
Pam’s own musical journey began with instrumental lessons in an East Glasgow primary school, progressing through the RSAMD Junior Academy, RSAMD (now RCS), NCOS, and Goldsmiths College, University of London. Her early career as a freelance musician and educator spanned orchestral, chamber, opera, theatre, and repertory work across the UK, bringing a rich and diverse experience to her current role in arts education leadership.