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 & Music Therapist

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 settings including schools, colleges, individual’s homes and hospices. 

Amelia has a particular interest in early intervention and enjoys working with the under 5s, helping them to develop key skills. Her clinical work is mostly focused in palliative care, working in children and adult’s hospices, but she also enjoys running community groups. 

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 appeared on BBC Radio Essex three times. 

In her spare time Amelia enjoys raising her son and step-son, cycling and playing clarinet in Dunmow Wind Band. 

Annie Henriques

Annie Henriques

Senior Music Therapist

After forty years in special needs education, I decided to enhance my working life by studying for a Masters in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University (2015). Since then I have pursued my passion of using music to open up communication with children and their families.

In 2017, whilst working for Chroma Creative Therapies, I undertook a Neurological music therapy training, which gives me a particular skill set to work with children with profound neurological difficulties. I also have a particular interest in working with adolescents with challenging behaviours and like to embrace the whole family in my work. My background in education has prepared me for providing training for schools, so that staff have some understanding of music therapy before I start working with their children. I encourage staff members to work with me with groups of children partly so that some of the techniques can be fed back into the classroom and this helps to demystify the therapeutic process.

I play the piano, harp, harmonium and ukulele. In my spare time I belong to a music improvisation group, enjoy walking my dog, doing yoga and of course cooking delicious food!

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.

I’m new to Ace, and I’m so thrilled to be working with such an inspirational bunch of people!

Lucy Dindoyal

Lucy Dindoyal

Music Therapist

Lucy graduated from Roehampton University in 2017 with a Masters degree in Music Therapy. Her deeply held belief in the benefits of using music to connect with children and adults lies at the core of her work, and her approach encompasses an accepting, open and flexible attitude, treating each client according to their individual needs. Her creative 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 experience in a variety of settings, including schools and respite homes, working with non-verbal and verbal children and adults, with ASD and a variety of learning disabilities, including PMLD. She works on a one-to-one basis, as well as with groups.

When not practicing music therapy, she loves spending time with her two children, taking them to art galleries, museums and the cinema – and whenever she can snatch a few quiet moments, loves to read and practice yoga.

James Cleeve

James Cleeve

Music Therapist

I trained with Nordoff Robbins, qualifying as a music therapist in 2021. I currently freelance, working with individuals and groups with a wide variety of ages and backgrounds.

I have experience of working with adults and children with a range of diagnoses, including profound physical disabilities, autistic spectrum condition, learning disabilities, acquired neurological disabilities, dementia and schizophrenia. But what excites me most about music therapy is the power that music has to offer validation, opportunity and experience to the person beyond the diagnosis, and to help them discover new things about themselves.

Outside of music therapy, I freelance as a musical director, composer and arranger, working in many different theatre, education and community settings.

Mandy Chien

Mandy Chien

Music Therapist

Mandy gained her Bachelor of Music in Taiwan in 2014. The dual experience of teaching music in a secondary school and playing the flute in an orchestra ignited her passion for music’s healing potential. Mandy qualified as a music therapist from Anglia Ruskin University, earning a distinction and the best dissertation award in 2023. With extensive work among children, young people and adults, she tailors music therapy to nurture personal growth and well-being, rooted in her unwavering belief in the transforming power of music.

Nikki Wilson

Nikki Wilson

Director

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.

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.

Rebecca Wasteney

Rebecca Wasteney

Community Musician

Rebecca completed her music degree at the University of Southampton and a PGCE in secondary music education at Goldsmiths, University of London. She has always felt incredibly passionate about the impact music can have on the lives of children and adults. Her work with people with dementia, special educational needs, low self-esteem and mental health has contributed to her enthusiasm and commitment to helping others through music. Having worked in various schools, most recently as Head of Music, she is keen to extend her knowledge and pursue her interest in music therapy and hopes to gain her master’s degree.

During her career she has been the music director in various musicals, organised and managed music concerts and has had students take part in projects such as Friday Afternoons and workshops with the Philharmonic Orchestra. She has entered her vocal groups into competitions and had students win creativity awards.

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.

 

Paul Redwood

Paul Redwood

Non-Executive Director

Paul has 18 years’ experience as a procurement professional in London, including over 10 years within the financial services industry for NatWest Group and Lloyds Banking Group.  He is currently a Sourcing Manager for Lloyds Banking Group, where he is responsible for the commercial and contractual relationships with the bank’s advertising and creative 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.

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

Please get in touch.....

Skip to content