Our team of HCPC registered music therapists share a passion for the transformative power of music. They have a wealth of experience and work to provide music therapy in a range of different settings.
Our music therapists are highly skilled musicians who are expertly trained to tune into each individual following their movements, reactions and expressions carefully using music to transform their lives.

Amelia Clapham

Amelia Clapham

CEO, Senior Music Therapist, Designated Safeguarding Lead

Amelia has grown up with a passion for music. Amelia graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in Music and German in 2012 and went on to complete her Master in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University in 2015.

Amelia has worked in a variety of clinical settings but her specialisms include working in palliative care and with children on the autistic spectrum. Amelia is also a qualified clinical supervisor and enjoys supervising not only music therapists but other professionals including nurses, care staff, teachers and teaching assistants. 

Amelia set up Ace Music Therapy in 2017 as she has a passion for creating new music therapy posts and advocating music therapy. She has had numerous radio features including BBC Radio Essex and Chelmsford Community Radio. Amelia is passionate about transforming the lives of her local community and focuses on supporting those in Chelmsford and is always on the search for funding to be able to run free groups.  

In her spare time Amelia enjoys keeping fit by going to the gym and competing in the odd triathlon, and also spending time with her family and children. 

Alexandra Paul

Alexandra Paul

Senior Music Therapist

Alexandra Paul is an HCPC-registered music therapist with over a decade of experience
supporting children, young people, and adults with a wide range of needs. With a BMus from
Goldsmiths (2000), University of London and an MMT (Music, Health & Society) from
Nordoff-Robbins (2013), Alexandra brings a music-centred, person-centred and inclusive
approach to her work.

She has worked in schools, care homes, and community settings with individuals with autism,
profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), visual impairments, acquired brain
injuries, dementia, and mental health challenges, as well as co-running community choirs and
singing groups to support adults with acquired communication issues developing from
strokes and Parkinson’s disease. Alexandra is passionate about enabling people to experience
themselves as musicians, using music to support communication, connection, and agency.

Alongside clinical work, she had trained support staff to facilitate music sessions and has
experience supervising students on placement. She is also a trained Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion (EDI) Champion, committed to ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued,
regardless of background or identity.

Alexandra’s practice is grounded in improvisation, creativity, and collaboration. She is a
member of the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT). In her spare time, she enjoys
reading, writing, socialising, and travelling.

Pui Ka (Cherry) Chau

Pui Ka (Cherry) Chau

Music Therapist

Cherry graduated with a degree in music education and performance pedagogy and she has completed three master’s degrees, two in Hong Kong, majoring in music for young children and one majoring in music therapy at Anglia Ruskin University. She has worked as a music teacher in primary and secondary schools and as an experienced instrumental teacher in Hong Kong. She believes that “every child has dignity, every child is able to learn, and every child is able to succeed”. Music has the power to influence our thoughts and behaviours. Music can be used to comfort and share joy with my clients. She would like to use music as a tool and bridge to create a happy, fun, and enjoyable environment to communicate with clients verbally or nonverbally.

Annabel Green

Annabel Green

Administration Assistant

Although not blessed with musical talent myself, I’m a lover of all forms of music and know the impact it can have on our outlook in life and how it can help & heal in so many ways.

I find great comfort in music, its power to change my mood and also transport me to another time or place. Musical theatre & film scores especially, alongside songs from every decade or genre depending on how I’m feeling!

I also have experience working with individuals with learning disabilities, Autism & complex needs, so have seen first-hand how the language of music can bring us all closer together and make such a difference to people’s lives.

Paul Redwood

Paul Redwood

Non-Executive Director

Paul has 20 years’ experience as a procurement professional in London, including 15 years within the financial services industry for large banks, including NatWest Group, Lloyds Banking Group, and currently at Barclays, where as a VP Sourcing Manager he is responsible for the commercial and contractual relationships with the bank’s marketing agencies.


He has a particular passion for providing support to small business and social enterprise, and has been involved in a number of corporate programmes providing business mentoring and guidance.  Outside of work, Paul enjoys sport, travel, and keeping fit.


Paul’s musical talents extend as far as singing (not very well) in the shower..! – however he is a strong advocate for music as a tool to support, nurture, and change lives.


Paul joined the Ace team in May 2022 as a Non Executive Director.
Lucy Dindoyal

Lucy Dindoyal

Director of Operations and Senior Music Therapist

Lucy graduated from Roehampton University in 2017 with a Masters degree in Music Therapy and started working for Ace shortly after.

For Lucy, using music to connect with the children she works with is a privilege, and she treats each individual according to their needs, listening and observing with an open mind. Her creative and flexible use of music using the piano, flute, her voice and percussion leads to the positive development of relationships, encourages self-expression and enhances wellbeing. 

She has extensive experience in a variety of settings, including schools and respite homes, working with children and adolescents with a range of complex needs such as neurodiversity and learning disabilities, including PMLD. She particularly specialises in hospice work, where she works with life-limited children and their families, as well as babies on the neonatal ward.

She is particularly interested in the impact that trauma has on children and their families and is due to embark on an EMDR training course, which she hopes to use alongside music therapy.

In her spare time, Lucy loves spending time with her two children and whenever she can snatch a few quiet moments, loves to read and practice yoga.

Aki Zhao

Aki Zhao

Music Therapist

Aki Zhao holds dual Master’s degrees in Music Performance from Kingston University and Music Therapy from Anglia Ruskin University, greatly enhancing her proficiency in both piano performance and therapeutic practices. Her love for diverse musical influences is reflected in her love for the Shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument known for its distinct sound, and her enthusiasm for the rock band ONE OK ROCK.

Professionally, Aki’s experience spans working with adolescents and adults diagnosed with conditions ranging from psychosis disorders and severe learning disabilities to autism spectrum disorders and depression. Aki is deeply committed to the power of music therapy in uncovering new aspects of a person’s identity and potential, offering distinctive therapeutic insights that significantly enhance the development and understanding of both the therapist and the client.
Teri Olley

Teri Olley

Volunteer

Having learned to play piano and flute as a child, I continued with my musical studies, adding percussion along the way, obtaining a BA Hons in Music Performance, followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.


I worked as a professional musician and teacher throughout the eighties, at which point I switched careers and music returned to being an enjoyable hobby, playing saxophone, flute and keyboards in various groups from concert to rock bands.
Newly retired, I’m now looking to utilise my musical skills and experience to help others enjoy and benefit from making music of all kinds.

 

Sarah Kochan

Sarah Kochan

Volunteer

I have a diploma in accounting and finance, but my passion is autism. I work in an autism school. & I have a level 2 in understanding autism, currently studying my level 3, and have level 2 in behaviour that challenges.


I’m also interested in communication. I have two daughters. My eldest daughter (16) has autism, I also have Nancy who’s 5 years old. One of my hobbies is entering competitions and I have won a holiday, washing machine, a cooker, Christmas experiences, and a TV in the last 2 years as well as presents for other people!
Verity Ransom

Verity Ransom

Music Therapist

I’m Verity, an HCPC-registered Music Therapist and qualified Music and Imagery (MI) Therapist based in Norfolk. I am a classically trained singer and have always been particularly drawn to the voice as a powerful and personal tool for communication, connection and self-expression.

My approach to music therapy is creative, person-centred and responsive. I believe there is no single way to engage in music therapy, and sessions are shaped around the individual, their needs, interests and preferred ways of communicating. Alongside singing and vocal work, I use improvisation, familiar and recorded music, instruments, creative musical activities and receptive approaches. Where appropriate, I may also bring in other creative mediums such as movement, imagery and art.

I have worked with children, young people, adults and older adults across a variety of settings, including education, healthcare, community and residential environments. My experience includes supporting neurodivergent clients, people with dementia and neurological conditions, and children and young people with additional needs or experiencing emotional, behavioural and wellbeing difficulties.

At the heart of my practice is the therapeutic relationship. Music can provide another way of communicating when words are difficult, while also creating opportunities for playfulness, creativity, emotional expression and shared connection. I aim to provide a space where clients can explore at their own pace and where their individual strengths, choices and musical identity are valued.

Alongside my wider music therapy practice, I am a qualified Music and Imagery Therapist, enabling me to offer both Supportive and Re-educative Music and Imagery approaches. This provides an additional way of using music therapeutically to support relaxation, emotional exploration, self-awareness and personal insight.

This modality I offer both in-person and online sessions, adapting my approach to the needs of each individual.

Martha Nicholls

Martha Nicholls

Music Therapist

Martha graduated with a Masters in Music Therapy from The University of Roehampton in 2023. With a background in teaching, Martha loves working with children and young people and utilising music making to foster their natural creativity and emotional expression.

Martha has clinical interests in fostering and adoption, mental health difficulties, SEND and trauma, and is passionate about the power of music to support people in expressing themselves when words are not possible or feel too much.

In her spare time, Martha plays saxophone in a jazz band, sings in a choir and enjoys reading, cooking and walking her dog.

Jess Donoghue

Jess Donoghue

Music Therapist

Jess Donoghue is a HCPC-registered Music Therapist having achieved Distinction in MA Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University. She carries experience across educational, community and medical settings in paediatric neurorehabilitation, mental health, neuro-disabilities, learning disabilities and dementia. 
Beginning as a Support Worker for adults with learning disabilities, Jess currently works across music therapy, private music tuition and inclusive community theatre. She is also a Research Assistant at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research. Jess has a history of centreing young voices, having led the reinstatement of the annual island-wide under-18s Battle of the Bands in Jersey post-pandemic and campaigned for the platforming of young musicians in the 2023 Government Music Manifesto as the Live Music Cell Leader of the Jersey Music Association. 
Jess takes a person-centred approach drawing from a range of evidence-based music therapy lenses and techniques with emphasis on a co-created therapeutic relationship, including creative improvisation, sensory stories and world-building, goal-oriented games, and therapeutic songwriting. She holds an interest in the ways music technology can be used to improve the accessibility of music therapy, and facilitate inclusive engagement in music production.
Louise Warren

Louise Warren

Non-Executive Director

I have been a registered children’s nurse for 20 years and have had the privilege of caring for children and young people with complex health needs and specialist educational needs and disabilities throughout my career.

I am a champion for hearing the voice of the child and families and improving their experience, recognising the role compassionate effective leadership plays in this.

I am very much looking forward to supporting ACE Music therapy and promoting and championing the benefits and positivity it can bring to the lives of children, adults and their families.

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Saskia Gillespie

<br /> Saskia Gillespie

Community Musician

I have always had a passion for music and sound, and I strongly believe that they are the most powerful healing tools we have as humans. My first musical connections were with the piano and flute, and over the years I have taught myself to play a variety of instruments – my favourite now being the Celtic harp. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Popular Music at Goldsmiths University of London in 2022, and it was during this time that I was introduced to music therapy and community music. Through creating my final project, I had the space to explore the innate connection between music and nature, and how they can be used together to promote profound healing. 

I started work with Ace as the Admin Assistant and due to my passion for music I gradually began to help to run some of the groups alongside the team. During this time I was given an opportunity with Chelmsford’s LCEP where I created and co-lead the group ‘Music of the Forest’. This was an outdoor music group designed to support vulnerable Year 6 children through meditation, deep listening, improvisation, movement, connecting to nature and songwriting. Running this group was a dream come true and made it clear to me how important music and nature are for wellbeing.

I am also trained in sound healing, and Angelic reiki, and I run my own group and 1.1 sound healing sessions using a variety of instruments including crystal singing bowls and my voice. I record and produce my own songs and sound healing tracks, and I am currently in the process of creating an album. Since coming back to the UK after travelling in India, I now support Ace to run community music groups, where I am grateful to be able to incorporate my passions of music, nature, sound healing and meditation.

Jon Crowther

Jon Crowther

Non-Executive Director

With a Thirty year Professional background in IT, mainly within FTSE 100 companies and financial institutions in London. Work has taken me to New York, Moscow, Frankfurt , Zurich and a few other places in between.

Father to a Grown up daughter and teenage son. Occasionally still commentates for local football club radio station. Semi retired Vinyl DJ. Keen park runner and sometimes marshall ( with cake as payment.)

In the past, I have been a committee member of our local community association,  with an emphasis on organising fundraising community events. More recently, I have been helping a charity review their policy documentation.

I have observed first hand the benefit of music within the lives of neurodiverse families and witnessed the joy of music within the Dementia specialist care home, where my late mother was a resident.

Looking to draw on my own personal and professional life skills and experience,  to support the existing talented and committed people at ACE Music Therapy.

Our Story

Ace Music Therapy CIC has a very family centred approach which means we work closely with the immediate family network, involving them in therapeutic process where necessary.

Our Impact

Click here to see our wider impact for individuals and groups in our communities

Latest News

Wanted: Freelance Music Therapist required for children’s hospiceAce Music Therapy is seeking a qualified music...

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From festive events to exciting new projects, see how we’ve been transforming lives through music this quarter. Read our latest report and join us on this incredible journey!

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