Kevin Mallon was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey but at an early age he went to live in Belfast, Northern Ireland and became a student at St. Malachy's College.
He won a scholarship to Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, England, where he was influenced by John Eliot Gardiner.
From 2004 to 2009, he was artistic director of Ireland's Opera 2005, formed to celebrate Cork's tenure as European Cultural Capital.
[citation needed] • Mozart, Marriage of Figaro, February 2005 (Irish Times Awards nomination) • Bizet, Carmen, June 2005 (Co-production with Castleward Opera) • Weill, Threepenny Opera, June 2006 • Rossini, Barber of Seville, November 2006 (Irish Times Awards nomination) • Lehar, Merry Widow, June 2007 • Mozart, Don Giovanni, October 2007 • Verdi Ballo in Machera, September 2008 (Irish Times Awards nomination) In 2009, Mallon was touring conductor for the Odesa Opera Theatre, Odesa, Ukraine.
He created new productions of Carmen and Don Giovanni and conducted these on tour to the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and Spain.
If everyone is inspired to focus on a strong musical vision, one that is achieved together, then the performers can let go of the tensions and stress and fear of playing badly.