Nicola was the very first employee of Sistema Scotland when it was established in 2007. In collaboration with a team of dedicated staff and  volunteers, and the ongoing support of the local community, she led the design and  implementation of the original Big Noise programme model. Over the past twelve years, the organisation has grown from the original pilot programme in Raploch, Stirling to a charity of national significance. Sistema Scotland now has a network of four Big Noise programmes  delivered by over 130 high quality staff and 80 volunteers supporting over 2,800 children weekly in some of Scotland's most disadvantaged communities. Nicola is passionate about the potential  for every child to succeed, the transformative and inspirational power of music and the arts, and in working alongside communities and partners to enable this to happen. 

Nicola Killean said: “Sistema Scotland’s achievements would not have been possible without our
wonderful team of staff and volunteers, as well as the support we have received from the communities
where we are based and the partners that we work with. I would like to thank the four local
authorities; the primary schools, secondary schools and further education college that we work with;
and all the organisations, groups and individuals who fund the Big Noise programmes. Most of all I
would like to thank the communities of Raploch, Govanhill, Torry and Douglas for believing in us,
working with us and inspiring us every single day.”