Meet the Team

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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. 

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.

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.

Nikki has almost 20 years’ experience working in and with charities and social enterprises, and more recently arts and cultural organisations. Starting her career as a Chartered Accountant, she has since worked in a variety of strategic and operational roles, for the past eight years in her own social enterprise, Resourcefully. Nikki’s work is driven by a strong belief in collaborative approaches and her passion for learning, supporting skills development as a creative facilitator and mentor.

Nikki is a Board Member for Cotman Housing Association and St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton Educational Charity, a Consumer Panel Member for the Phone-paid Services Authority and a former lay member of Essex Safeguarding Children Board. She is also the convenor of the RSA Essex network and a member of Ignite Chelmsford Cultural Partnership.

Nikki’s interest in Ace Music Therapy was sparked when she heard Amelia tell the story of her journey into Music Therapy and she has since developed her interest, understanding more about the power of music in supporting communication and connection.

In her spare time, Nikki is a keen gym goer, a novice gardener and is often seen being walked by her very energetic, young dog Bella.

I came to music therapy late in my life after a long career in teaching and social work. I worked in both special schools and ran specialist units in mainstream schools. I also spent time working for a social work agency where educationalists worked alongside social workers improving outcomes for parents and children.

Being an accomplished pianist, I have always used music in my work. Towards the end of my career, I was really using music therapeutically. Where children couldn’t engage with the curriculum, there were a range of musical options to help them self-regulate.

It was at my son’s graduation at Anglia Ruskin University in 2012 where I saw the music therapists receiving their degrees. I thought, I could do that. So, four months later I was interviewed for the course and as they say the rest is history.

Rebecca is passionate about the impact music can have on the lives of children and adults, which lead her to Ace Music Therapy.  Her work with people with dementia, special educational needs, long covid, low self-esteem and mental health has contributed to her commitment and enthusiasm in using music as a tool to support. Rebecca works on a range of projects in the community and in schools, she teaches singing and piano, supports blind children and their families and manages a music and performing arts department. She has a strong interest in music therapy and hopes to complete her masters one day. 

Rebecca was recently interviewed on BBC Essex Radio and appeared on BBC Look East and in the local newspaper, due to the success of her dementia choir. 

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.