At Chiltern all our operational roles sit within circles (aka teams). We also have a Board of Directors who support the operational work of the organisation. Click into the circles to see the different roles that sit in each circle and who sits on our board.
The Advance circle exists to future-proof Chiltern through outward-facing high quality growth and innovation. See the roles that sit in this circle below.
%20-%20Becky%20Dowson.jpg)
Becky qualified as a Music Therapist in 2012 from Anglia Ruskin University and lived and worked for several years in Oxfordshire before relocating to undertake her PhD at the University of Nottingham, which she completed in 2020. She is passionate about the power of music and music therapy for people living with dementia, and about strengthening the connections between research and practice. As well as working for Chiltern Music Therapy she also works as a researcher, and in her spare time she enjoys running, crafting and spending time with her cat.
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
.jpg)
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Gareth completed his MA in Music Therapy at Guildhall, School of Music and Drama and also has an MMus and BMus (Hons). As a Music Therapist he works freelance as well as for Chiltern Music Therapy. Gareth works within a variety of settings with varied client groups of all ages. His clinical experience ranges from acute mental health to children and adolescents with Learning Difficulties, ASD and SEBD, as well as Dementia and neurological deficit. Prior to becoming a Music Therapist, Gareth worked as an Opera Singer, working for such companies as Glyndebourne opera and English National Opera, having trained at the Opera Department at the Guildhall, School of Music and Drama. As a Music Therapist, Gareth is keen to draw from both his vocal and therapeutic understanding the potential of the voice as a therapeutic tool to enhance a persons understanding of self, nurturing from within and promoting a healthier outlook.
Izzy leads on the development of the external training offered by Chiltern Music Therapy across a variety of sectors. With a background in both the education and healthcare sectors, she brings a passion for learning and professional development with her to the role.
Katie heads up all things communications at Chiltern and tries to keep everyone ‘on brand’! She’s also a lover of systems and data and works across our circles (teams) to keep things running smoothly.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Special Educational Needs and Music, Sabina went back to her family’s Irish roots and completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick. During her training, Sabina gained experience in adult mental health and ran a pilot project with family caregivers. Sabina also provided music therapy in a Dublin based hospital (and potentially holds the title for playing “Molly Malone” a record number of times!) Now back in the Midlands, Sabina works closely with adolescents who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children and adults with a range of disabilities. In 2019, Sabina gained further certification as a specialist Neurologic Music Therapist and is utilising this training to inform her work in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Sabina is passionate about using music as an accessible tool to help individuals achieve their goals. In her work, Sabina always aims to create an inclusive, comfortable, and supportive environment.
Trish joined August 2023 as an external strategic advisor for the Chiltern leadership and specifically working with the Advance Circle bringing her 30 years of experience in Growth, Business Development, Strategy, People/Culture and Operations. She has her own business focused on the Arts in Surrey, has always believed in the power of art therapy and sees music therapy as another medium to make magic happen. Music has been central to her life with a Grandmother, Mother, Brother and children all in the industry, and a personal (somewhat neglected as of late!) hobby of playing the saxophone in jazz and big bands. She is thrilled to lend her support to the Chiltern team wherever needed as she believes heartily in the mission and impact they can make.
The board of directors are responsible for taking lead when required. Our two existing directors, Rosie and Rebecca have been joined by two internal directors, Kasia and Natasha and two external directors, Roger and Sofie. Find out more below.
Geoff joined Chiltern Music Therapy in 2024 as a Non-Executive Director. Geoff brings to the team a wealth of business knowledge, initially qualifying as an accountant (ACA) and treasurer (AMCT) and subsequently working in an extensive range of senior leadership positions covering finance, risk and relationship management.Currently serving as a trustee at St John's Wood Adventure Play Hub, Geoff previously held school governor roles, including chairing the Finance and Resources Committee at the excellent Cherry Garden School, a SEND setting in Bermondsey. Although new to the world of music therapy, Geoff has a long relationship with music, being a keen drummer and for many years he played the piano, so understands some of the benefits music brings to our lives. The services Chiltern Music Therapy offers resonate with Geoff and he is excited to join us and keen to support our people and our business as we continue to drive forwards with our vision and strategy.
.png)
Karen joined Chiltern Music Therapy in August 2023 as a Non-Exec Director. She is new to the world of music therapy, but admires and believes in the services we offer and enjoys seeing how music can help people of all ages, in so many ways. Karen brings to the team a wealth of business knowledge from her career in marketing, customer engagement, transformation and change and leadership development. Currently working part time as an executive coach and business advisor to a variety of commercial and not for profit companies as well as a Non-Exec Director for the Leprosy Mission. Karen is delighted to join Chiltern Music Therapy to support our people and our business as we continue to grow in an ever changing world.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Rebecca Atkinson is a Neurologic Music Therapist and Doctoral researcher with the University of Brighton. Alongside directing Chiltern Music Therapy her main focus of work is in paediatric brain injury, neurodegenerative conditions, acute care and community rehabilitation. Under an Arts Council scholarship, Rebecca’s PhD research project is investigating the impact of music and NMT for children and young people diagnosed with Batten disease. Her continued collaboration and affiliation with UK and European research institutions, sees Rebecca at the forefront of current and pioneering research in the arts, health and music therapy sector.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
Sofie is very proud to be a Non-Exec Director at Chiltern Music Therapy, having joined the board in October 2021 shortly after the organisation’s move to employee ownership and self-management. Sofie is a long-time supporter of Chiltern, having had the opportunity to see the profound benefits brought by music therapy to her clients in her job as a solicitor representing those with traumatic brain injury at Irwin Mitchell. She is passionate about music therapy becoming widely to available to all that need it. To that end she is proud to have been involved with several joint projects between Irwin Mitchell and Chiltern, including a Neurologic Music Therapy Pilot Clinic in the Trauma Wards at the Royal London Hospital in 2018 and at the Regional National Rehabilitation Unit at Homerton Hospital in 2021/2022, providing access to neurologic music therapy to severely injured people.
The Life circle exists to help the Chiltern team to be excellent in every way; caring, nurturing and supporting all our staff through the challenges that present. See the roles that sit in this circle below.
Music has always played a huge part in Eleanor's life. Having gone to a music specialised grammar school in Germany and having spent most of her free time singing in choirs and playing instruments, it was clear to her that she would go on and do something that would involve music. Eleanor went on to study Social Pedagogy at a University in Germany and once she graduated she worked in various institutions with people who had learning disabilities, autism, dementia and mental health issues and always used music as a tool to communicate with the clients. She enjoys working with all kinds of people and she hopes to complete a music therapy degree in the future.
Emma knew from the age of 4 whilst standing infront of an audience singing 'twinkle twinkle little star' dressed as a christmas tree that music would be a massive part of her life and now she gets to use music to help others! Emma trained at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and has since worked with a broad range of client groups specialising in working with children with additional needs. Emma is also passionate about supporting and nurturing staff as well as students and is able to do this in her two operational roles of ‘Life Circle Guardian’ and Placement Co-ordinator.
Jenny joined Chiltern in April 2022, shortly after she qualified as a music therapist at UWE Bristol. She has experience working with children with learning disabilities, adult mental health within the community and acquired brain injury. Jenny is a singer with a passion for songwriting, improvisation and music technology. She has a particular interest in therapeutic songwriting and the use of voice in her clinical work.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
Vicky heads up the scheduling of all new and existing referrals for our team of Music Therapists and Community Musicians across England. Overseeing enquiries and referrals, she supports all clients to enable access Music Therapy or Community Music. Vicky also deals with recruitment of new staff and volunteers, staff boarding and supports all existing staff at Chiltern.
The delivery circle exists to enable access to Chiltern in order to fulfil every service request within our offer to help realise our vision and support the smooth running of new and existing offers and initiatives with a skilled workforce. All our clinical staff sit within our delivery circle and you can learn more about them and the other circle roles below.
Annmarie is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with over 26 years experience in the Human Resources profession. Annmarie has worked in small and large, public and private sector organisations. Her last role was as an Assistant Director of Workforce in Hywel Dda University Health Board in South Wales. She is passionately Welsh and currently a partner in the family farm in South Wales and works part time as a self-employed HR Consultant. Other professional interests include an appointment to the Audit and Performance Committee of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and as a Trailblazer Committee Member for Chiltern Music Therapy. Annmarie is an active volunteer in her local community and is currently Chair of the Governing Body for Ysgol Llannon, a member of the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice Fundraising Committee and President of Llannon Young Farmers Club. Annmarie is passionate to use her experience of corporate governance to ensure Chiltern Music Therapy’s services are delivered to high standards of best practice in the role of Compliance Lead.
Brendan is an experienced financial professional, having worked in accountancy since 2015. He works closely with the rest of the finance team to deliver accurate reporting and forecasting.
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
Katie heads up all things communications at Chiltern and tries to keep everyone ‘on brand’! She’s also a lover of systems and data and works across our circles (teams) to keep things running smoothly.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Steph supports with the scheduling of Music Therapy and Community Music referrals, as well as service contracts and training opportunities.
Vicky heads up the scheduling of all new and existing referrals for our team of Music Therapists and Community Musicians across England. Overseeing enquiries and referrals, she supports all clients to enable access Music Therapy or Community Music. Vicky also deals with recruitment of new staff and volunteers, staff boarding and supports all existing staff at Chiltern.
The Anchor Circle exists to guide the Chiltern ship in the present, and look forward to the future. See which roles sit within this circle below
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
Emma knew from the age of 4 whilst standing infront of an audience singing 'twinkle twinkle little star' dressed as a christmas tree that music would be a massive part of her life and now she gets to use music to help others! Emma trained at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and has since worked with a broad range of client groups specialising in working with children with additional needs. Emma is also passionate about supporting and nurturing staff as well as students and is able to do this in her two operational roles of ‘Life Circle Guardian’ and Placement Co-ordinator.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Izzy leads on the development of the external training offered by Chiltern Music Therapy across a variety of sectors. With a background in both the education and healthcare sectors, she brings a passion for learning and professional development with her to the role.
Jenny joined Chiltern in April 2022, shortly after she qualified as a music therapist at UWE Bristol. She has experience working with children with learning disabilities, adult mental health within the community and acquired brain injury. Jenny is a singer with a passion for songwriting, improvisation and music technology. She has a particular interest in therapeutic songwriting and the use of voice in her clinical work.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
The Fundraising circle exists to facilitate and increase revenue to secure and sustain the future of the organisation. You can learn more about the roles in this circle below.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Izzy leads on the development of the external training offered by Chiltern Music Therapy across a variety of sectors. With a background in both the education and healthcare sectors, she brings a passion for learning and professional development with her to the role.
The Culture Circle exists to cultivate and develop the theory and practice of Chiltern's culture in all spheres: organisational, therapeutic, interpersonal, internal and external.
Jim joined Chiltern in January 2018, shortly after he qualified as a music therapist and became a dad! Jim mostly works with school children and adults with learning disabilities at the moment, but has experience with clients with a range of diagnoses from nursery age all the way through to elderly care homes. He has a particular interest in working with people with psychosis, both in hospital and in the community. Jim is passionate about sustainability and created the Environmental & Sustainability Lead role at Chiltern at the beginning of 2021. He also works as a library music composer, with his music being used on Masterchef, Neighbours, Blue Peter, and many other programmes across the world.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Special Educational Needs and Music, Sabina went back to her family’s Irish roots and completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick. During her training, Sabina gained experience in adult mental health and ran a pilot project with family caregivers. Sabina also provided music therapy in a Dublin based hospital (and potentially holds the title for playing “Molly Malone” a record number of times!) Now back in the Midlands, Sabina works closely with adolescents who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children and adults with a range of disabilities. In 2019, Sabina gained further certification as a specialist Neurologic Music Therapist and is utilising this training to inform her work in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Sabina is passionate about using music as an accessible tool to help individuals achieve their goals. In her work, Sabina always aims to create an inclusive, comfortable, and supportive environment.
All our clinical staff sit within our delivery circle and you can learn more about them below.
Alice studied musicology at the University of Huddersfield and gained her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University. She has experience of working with children and adults with a wide range of needs, including autism, PMLD, learning disabilities, and mental health.
Amanda is a trained music therapist completing her masters at Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge. She has completed further training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Amanda is also a qualified primary teacher graduating from Middlesex University in 1995 and also continues part time in that role. She enjoys working with people of all ages and diagnosis including Epilepsy, brain injury, spinal injury, learning disabilities and clients within hospice care. She feels privileged to work with and to support clients and their families. Within Chiltern she has the role of Pod Comms Voicebox and a supervisor and enjoys producing resources and materials which can be used as visual props to support clients within music therapy sessions.
BaraHorejsi is a music therapist based in London, mainly working with children and young adults with additional needs as well as working as a research assistant at the University of Palacky. She graduated with double undergraduate in Special Needs Education (University of Palacky) and Music (University of Bristol) and masters in Music Therapy (University of Palacky).
Becky qualified as a Music Therapist in 2012 from Anglia Ruskin University and lived and worked for several years in Oxfordshire before relocating to undertake her PhD at the University of Nottingham, which she completed in 2020. She is passionate about the power of music and music therapy for people living with dementia, and about strengthening the connections between research and practice. As well as working for Chiltern Music Therapy she also works as a researcher, and in her spare time she enjoys running, crafting and spending time with her cat.
I am a recently qualified music therapist, and also a Support Worker for a Learning Disability Charity. Outside of work I enjoy composing songs and instrumental music, and spending time outdoors with my dog. I am interested in exploring how Music Therapy can help people feel noticed, appreciated and taken seriously .
Briony went to Anglia Ruskin University as a mature student in 2003, after having worked mainly in catering and health care work. She completed a BA (Hons) in Music and shortly afterwards an MA in Music Therapy. All the way through her training she was drawn towards working in palliative care and soon after completing the training she got her dream job in a hospice in Hull. For almost ten years, Briony worked with adults with life limiting illnesses and all ages for pre-bereavement and bereavement care. Within this role she worked in the hospice, in the community, nursing homes, schools and hospitals. Three years after adopting her daughter, Briony decided to move closer to family and then began working for Chiltern Music Therapy at the beginning of 2021. She works in the school environment, with young people who have severe learning disabilities and ASD.
Catherine is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021. Before qualifying as a Music Therapist, Catherine practised as a lawyer. Catherine’s clinical experience includes working with adults with acquired brain injury, adults living with dementia, pre-school children, children with autism and children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Catherine loves to sing, and is always a member of at least two choirs!
Chris completed her MA in Music Therapy at Roehampton University. Chris has experience of working with pre-school, primary and secondary school children with a range of needs. These include learning disabilities, autism, emotion and behavioural difficulties. Chris is passionate about finding a connection with each of her clients and enabling them to express themselves through their music. Chris is a violinist and enjoys playing in her local symphony orchestra.
Eleanor graduated with an MA in Music Therapy from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Eleanor has experience working with adults and children in schools, hospitals, and hospices, in areas including mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, neurodiversity, neurorehabilitation, and palliative care.
Music has always played a huge part in Eleanor's life. Having gone to a music specialised grammar school in Germany and having spent most of her free time singing in choirs and playing instruments, it was clear to her that she would go on and do something that would involve music. Eleanor went on to study Social Pedagogy at a University in Germany and once she graduated she worked in various institutions with people who had learning disabilities, autism, dementia and mental health issues and always used music as a tool to communicate with the clients. She enjoys working with all kinds of people and she hopes to complete a music therapy degree in the future.
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Music, Emma realised the power of Music to help others. Emma has experience working with adults with learning disabilities, children in SEN settings and in neurorehabilitation. Currently, Emma is completing her Masters in Music Therapy.
Emma knew from the age of 4 whilst standing infront of an audience singing 'twinkle twinkle little star' dressed as a christmas tree that music would be a massive part of her life and now she gets to use music to help others! Emma trained at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and has since worked with a broad range of client groups specialising in working with children with additional needs. Emma is also passionate about supporting and nurturing staff as well as students and is able to do this in her two operational roles of ‘Life Circle Guardian’ and Placement Co-ordinator.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Gareth completed his MA in Music Therapy at Guildhall, School of Music and Drama and also has an MMus and BMus (Hons). As a Music Therapist he works freelance as well as for Chiltern Music Therapy. Gareth works within a variety of settings with varied client groups of all ages. His clinical experience ranges from acute mental health to children and adolescents with Learning Difficulties, ASD and SEBD, as well as Dementia and neurological deficit. Prior to becoming a Music Therapist, Gareth worked as an Opera Singer, working for such companies as Glyndebourne opera and English National Opera, having trained at the Opera Department at the Guildhall, School of Music and Drama. As a Music Therapist, Gareth is keen to draw from both his vocal and therapeutic understanding the potential of the voice as a therapeutic tool to enhance a persons understanding of self, nurturing from within and promoting a healthier outlook.
James has completed his MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University in 2018 and has experience working within special schools, forensic units and general wards. He has worked with children and adults with learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties, Autism, Downs Syndrome and mental health conditions James' use of guitar, piano, voice and percussive instruments allows for communication to occur in both a musical and verbal capacity, encouraging positive development in a number of areas such as communication and language skills, self-expression and wellbeing. He also has a degree in popular music from Anglia Ruskin University.
Jenny joined Chiltern in April 2022, shortly after she qualified as a music therapist at UWE Bristol. She has experience working with children with learning disabilities, adult mental health within the community and acquired brain injury. Jenny is a singer with a passion for songwriting, improvisation and music technology. She has a particular interest in therapeutic songwriting and the use of voice in her clinical work.
Following many years as a teacher and performer, Jenny chose to explore new ways of using music to enrich lives by becoming a music therapist, gaining her MA at UWE Bristol and subsequently training in Neurologic Music Therapy in Hamburg. She has particular interests in neurorehabilitation and working with people with learning disabilities and has undertaken research into how music is involved in the everyday lives of those with Rett syndrome. Outside of her music therapy work, Jenny loves playing the baroque cello and viola da gamba and inspiring her cello students in their own playing and love of music.
Jenny is a Registered Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow, GIM practitioner, Certified Play Therapist as well as a Counsellor. By integrating those therapeutic skills, she provides appropriate interventions to clients based on their needs and conditions. Jenny provides therapeutic services to individuals and groups in different settings. In the past thirteen years, the organisations that she served including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, hospice centres, the clinical oncology department of a hospital, cancer centre of a hospital, breast cancer patient organisations, and elderly centres, etc. Her clients range from children with special educational needs, to the older adults at the end of life. In recent years, Jenny also focused on people with emotion issues and people who are in rehabilitation.
Jessica has been a music therapist since 1998 and part of Chiltern since 2017. Her love of sharing music with people has found a home in music therapy, although she has also worked as a violinist and music teacher. She cares, perhaps more than anything else, about people being heard and valued and joining Chiltern felt like coming home. Jessica now works alongside the whole team to help grow the values and ethos of the organisation and to support colleagues in their work. Her experiences have led her to research into the ways of knowing that happen in music therapy. She also loves walking and making things!
Jess graduated from the University of Derby in 2022 and has since enjoyed working all over the Midlands. She also has a BMus Music degree from the University of Huddersfield. Jess has experience with working with adults and children with a range of needs, including mental health, learning disabilities, autism and dementia. Jess has been a musician for over 20 years and enjoys playing in a local concert band and big band on clarinet and saxophone.
Jim joined Chiltern in January 2018, shortly after he qualified as a music therapist and became a dad! Jim mostly works with school children and adults with learning disabilities at the moment, but has experience with clients with a range of diagnoses from nursery age all the way through to elderly care homes. He has a particular interest in working with people with psychosis, both in hospital and in the community. Jim is passionate about sustainability and created the Environmental & Sustainability Lead role at Chiltern at the beginning of 2021. He also works as a library music composer, with his music being used on Masterchef, Neighbours, Blue Peter, and many other programmes across the world.
Jo is a Community Musician at Chiltern. Jo’s working background is predominantly administrative, but since making the leap in late 2017 (leaving her role as royalties director at a literary agency), she hasn’t looked back! Jo has always had a passion for music and enjoys playing piano/keys, singing, improvising and writing in bands, however, in early 2018 she discovered a different way of experiencing music with people that really struck a ‘chord’ with her. It all started with volunteering as a music assistant at Share (an organisation providing support to adults with learning disabilities, physical/sensory impairments, autism and mental health needs). Later in 2018 the opportunity to join Chiltern came along and Jo jumped at the chance – she has loved meeting different people, sharing music with them and seeing the joy participatory music-making can bring. Long may it continue!
Josh completed his MA in Music Therapy at the University of Roehampton. Josh’s clinical experience includes working in community settings with adults with mental health diagnoses and in a mainstream primary school with children experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. He also has many years of experience working in SEN settings with young adults with learning disabilities, including profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and autism. Josh has a keen interest in mental health and is passionate about the difference music can make to people’s well-being. He is a singer and plays cello, piano and guitar and has been working as a performer and music teacher since 2012.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Laura trained as a music therapist at UWE Bristol and studied music at the University of Surrey. Since qualifying, she has completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy and is a qualified MATADOC assessor. Laura is based in Bath and can take referrals in and around Bath and Bristol. She specialises in working with neurological conditions and with stroke and brain injury survivors, and is particularly interested in supporting people with aphasia and other communication difficulties. Laura also supports children and young people who have experienced early trauma. As a self-confessed music therapy and psychology geek Laura also coordinates our research and academic network and can often be found at conferences or sharing interesting articles on twitter!
From the age of 13 Laura was dedicated to achieving her goal of becoming a Music Therapist, which she did at the age of 24 after graduating from Guildhall. She initially joined Chiltern as a student on placement and now works with them full time and adores her work. She is devoted to using music to connect with her clients and has experience working with children, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, who have developmental and social-emotional needs, and adults, young and old, who are recovering from or experiencing mental health problems. Laura loves to sing and play a number of instruments and can’t go a day without tinkling the ivories!
Matt has been qualified as a music therapist since 2005. He has worked in Learning Disability, Dementia and Trauma. He's a senior lecturer in music therapy and sings and plays the guitar, flute and percussion.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Nathan completed his MA in Music Therapy at the University of Roehampton. Shortly after qualifying, he began his new adventure as a Music Therapist at Chiltern. He has experience working with autistic children and children experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, and older adult mental health, including dementia. Nathan completed the neurologic music therapy training and now holds a ratified Neurologic Music Therapist certification. He hopes that his interest in music and the brain can be utilised and inform his work in the field of neurorehabilitation. Nathan is passionate about the numerous ways that music can be used to meet the needs of various service users.
Since completing her MA in Music Therapy at UWE Bristol, Rose has worked in a variety of specialised educational settings with children and teenagers, and qualified as a Neurologic Music Therapist in 2021. She has clinical experience working with both adults and children, and has worked with a range of clients including those with ASD, PMLD, emotional and behavioural needs and acquired brain injury. In her other work, Rose is passionate about the outdoors and wildlife, and works as a gardener and bat surveyor in the South West.
Art and music are my absolute passions. During my master’s course in Art and Music Therapy for disability and diversity inclusion, I studied psychology, neurology and sociology and I attended laboratories with professionals to integrate the art knowledge to the health care scientific approaches. This has prepared me with knowledge on how to work with a wide range of patients that have complex psycho-social profiles. I have the unusual background for an Art and Music therapist to be a radiographer as well, but I think this benefits me greatly as I often have to work in multi-disciplinary teams. I have further developed my professional skills thanks to training courses and extra-curricular work. I feel that my experience of working as a band 7 radiographer in the NHS has given me a good foundation of working in a multidisciplinary team which is import especially as it will require working in different environments. It is very important to be able to build interpersonal relationships and I am very much a people person. Coordinating a team with a high work load, and supporting the students in their traineeship, also helped me in improving my communicational skills. Regarding my Art Therapy experience, during my MA placement I had the opportunity to help vulnerable people such as non verbal autistic children and young adults, elderly patients with dementia, patients with depression, and other specific mental health conditions such as personality disorder, psychosis, etc. The main activities were based on music therapy for SEN, which could include playing, singing, crafting handmade instruments, or just doing rhythmical and physical exercises like dancing. In addition to this experience, I also have experience of teaching music back home (in Italy) which involved me delivering piano, guitar and vocal sessions to kids and young adults in my community. Other activities were painting and drama performance for Sunday School programmes, or assistance for immigrants through the community Catholic Church in my home town. Even now after my degree I am still trying to expand my knowledge by completing CPDs in areas such as psychotherapy and CBT which I really enjoy.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Special Educational Needs and Music, Sabina went back to her family’s Irish roots and completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick. During her training, Sabina gained experience in adult mental health and ran a pilot project with family caregivers. Sabina also provided music therapy in a Dublin based hospital (and potentially holds the title for playing “Molly Malone” a record number of times!) Now back in the Midlands, Sabina works closely with adolescents who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children and adults with a range of disabilities. In 2019, Sabina gained further certification as a specialist Neurologic Music Therapist and is utilising this training to inform her work in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Sabina is passionate about using music as an accessible tool to help individuals achieve their goals. In her work, Sabina always aims to create an inclusive, comfortable, and supportive environment.
.png)
Before becoming an international DJ in 2000, Sam worked in I.T., Project Management and as a P.A. so she has lots of office experience as well as a passion for music. She studied C&G Sound Design & Music Technology and has produced and released many tracks. She is also a Reiki Master and incorporates Sound Healing into her treatments and music, and is also an NLP & Hypnotherapy Practitioner.
Verity’s values as a music therapist are to work uniquely to suit the needs of the client, to use music to make meaningful moments and to always think creatively, often using mixed medias. Verity is a trained Music Therapist in the Norfolk area, having completed her training at Anglia Ruskin University in 2018. Verity is a singer and uses vocal work in her sessions, allowing songs to create reminiscence and reflection, and using songwriting and singing to release self-expression. Verity is passionate in using music creatively to unlock a person's potential. Verity completed her Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI) training in 2023, which combines music and creative medias along with guided meditation to allow clients to manage daily anxiety and self-care. She will be completing the next stage of this training (Re-educative Music and Imagery/RMI) in 2024.
Vicky completed her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since then she has had experience of working with children and adults with a variety of needs. She specialises in working with older adults with dementia. She is passionate about improving the quality of life of those living with dementia.
.png)
Chloe completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Life Science at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. Since qualifying, she has delivered sessions with people who have different needs. For example, children with ASD, ADHD and PMLD; adults with mental health difficulties and elderly people with dementia. Apart from clinical practice, she hosted workshops and lectures in Taiwan to introduce music therapy as well as the importance of well-being. Relocating to the UK in 2023, she continued her jobs in schools and community-based settings, mainly in the Midlands. Her primary instrument is the violin and piano. She enjoys playing the violin in various orchestras.
The Advance circle exists to future-proof Chiltern through outward-facing high quality growth and innovation. See the roles that sit in this circle below.
Becky qualified as a Music Therapist in 2012 from Anglia Ruskin University and lived and worked for several years in Oxfordshire before relocating to undertake her PhD at the University of Nottingham, which she completed in 2020. She is passionate about the power of music and music therapy for people living with dementia, and about strengthening the connections between research and practice. As well as working for Chiltern Music Therapy she also works as a researcher, and in her spare time she enjoys running, crafting and spending time with her cat.
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Gareth completed his MA in Music Therapy at Guildhall, School of Music and Drama and also has an MMus and BMus (Hons). As a Music Therapist he works freelance as well as for Chiltern Music Therapy. Gareth works within a variety of settings with varied client groups of all ages. His clinical experience ranges from acute mental health to children and adolescents with Learning Difficulties, ASD and SEBD, as well as Dementia and neurological deficit. Prior to becoming a Music Therapist, Gareth worked as an Opera Singer, working for such companies as Glyndebourne opera and English National Opera, having trained at the Opera Department at the Guildhall, School of Music and Drama. As a Music Therapist, Gareth is keen to draw from both his vocal and therapeutic understanding the potential of the voice as a therapeutic tool to enhance a persons understanding of self, nurturing from within and promoting a healthier outlook.
Izzy leads on the development of the external training offered by Chiltern Music Therapy across a variety of sectors. With a background in both the education and healthcare sectors, she brings a passion for learning and professional development with her to the role.
Katie heads up all things communications at Chiltern and tries to keep everyone ‘on brand’! She’s also a lover of systems and data and works across our circles (teams) to keep things running smoothly.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Special Educational Needs and Music, Sabina went back to her family’s Irish roots and completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick. During her training, Sabina gained experience in adult mental health and ran a pilot project with family caregivers. Sabina also provided music therapy in a Dublin based hospital (and potentially holds the title for playing “Molly Malone” a record number of times!) Now back in the Midlands, Sabina works closely with adolescents who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children and adults with a range of disabilities. In 2019, Sabina gained further certification as a specialist Neurologic Music Therapist and is utilising this training to inform her work in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Sabina is passionate about using music as an accessible tool to help individuals achieve their goals. In her work, Sabina always aims to create an inclusive, comfortable, and supportive environment.
Trish joined August 2023 as an external strategic advisor for the Chiltern leadership and specifically working with the Advance Circle bringing her 30 years of experience in Growth, Business Development, Strategy, People/Culture and Operations. She has her own business focused on the Arts in Surrey, has always believed in the power of art therapy and sees music therapy as another medium to make magic happen. Music has been central to her life with a Grandmother, Mother, Brother and children all in the industry, and a personal (somewhat neglected as of late!) hobby of playing the saxophone in jazz and big bands. She is thrilled to lend her support to the Chiltern team wherever needed as she believes heartily in the mission and impact they can make.
The board of directors are responsible for taking lead when required. Our two existing directors, Rosie and Rebecca have been joined by two internal directors, Kasia and Natasha and two external directors, Roger and Sofie. Find out more below.
Geoff joined Chiltern Music Therapy in 2024 as a Non-Executive Director. Geoff brings to the team a wealth of business knowledge, initially qualifying as an accountant (ACA) and treasurer (AMCT) and subsequently working in an extensive range of senior leadership positions covering finance, risk and relationship management.Currently serving as a trustee at St John's Wood Adventure Play Hub, Geoff previously held school governor roles, including chairing the Finance and Resources Committee at the excellent Cherry Garden School, a SEND setting in Bermondsey. Although new to the world of music therapy, Geoff has a long relationship with music, being a keen drummer and for many years he played the piano, so understands some of the benefits music brings to our lives. The services Chiltern Music Therapy offers resonate with Geoff and he is excited to join us and keen to support our people and our business as we continue to drive forwards with our vision and strategy.
Karen joined Chiltern Music Therapy in August 2023 as a Non-Exec Director. She is new to the world of music therapy, but admires and believes in the services we offer and enjoys seeing how music can help people of all ages, in so many ways. Karen brings to the team a wealth of business knowledge from her career in marketing, customer engagement, transformation and change and leadership development. Currently working part time as an executive coach and business advisor to a variety of commercial and not for profit companies as well as a Non-Exec Director for the Leprosy Mission. Karen is delighted to join Chiltern Music Therapy to support our people and our business as we continue to grow in an ever changing world.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Rebecca Atkinson is a Neurologic Music Therapist and Doctoral researcher with the University of Brighton. Alongside directing Chiltern Music Therapy her main focus of work is in paediatric brain injury, neurodegenerative conditions, acute care and community rehabilitation. Under an Arts Council scholarship, Rebecca’s PhD research project is investigating the impact of music and NMT for children and young people diagnosed with Batten disease. Her continued collaboration and affiliation with UK and European research institutions, sees Rebecca at the forefront of current and pioneering research in the arts, health and music therapy sector.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
Sofie is very proud to be a Non-Exec Director at Chiltern Music Therapy, having joined the board in October 2021 shortly after the organisation’s move to employee ownership and self-management. Sofie is a long-time supporter of Chiltern, having had the opportunity to see the profound benefits brought by music therapy to her clients in her job as a solicitor representing those with traumatic brain injury at Irwin Mitchell. She is passionate about music therapy becoming widely to available to all that need it. To that end she is proud to have been involved with several joint projects between Irwin Mitchell and Chiltern, including a Neurologic Music Therapy Pilot Clinic in the Trauma Wards at the Royal London Hospital in 2018 and at the Regional National Rehabilitation Unit at Homerton Hospital in 2021/2022, providing access to neurologic music therapy to severely injured people.
The Life circle exists to help the Chiltern team to be excellent in every way; caring, nurturing and supporting all our staff through the challenges that present. See the roles that sit in this circle below.
Music has always played a huge part in Eleanor's life. Having gone to a music specialised grammar school in Germany and having spent most of her free time singing in choirs and playing instruments, it was clear to her that she would go on and do something that would involve music. Eleanor went on to study Social Pedagogy at a University in Germany and once she graduated she worked in various institutions with people who had learning disabilities, autism, dementia and mental health issues and always used music as a tool to communicate with the clients. She enjoys working with all kinds of people and she hopes to complete a music therapy degree in the future.
Emma knew from the age of 4 whilst standing infront of an audience singing 'twinkle twinkle little star' dressed as a christmas tree that music would be a massive part of her life and now she gets to use music to help others! Emma trained at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and has since worked with a broad range of client groups specialising in working with children with additional needs. Emma is also passionate about supporting and nurturing staff as well as students and is able to do this in her two operational roles of ‘Life Circle Guardian’ and Placement Co-ordinator.
Jenny joined Chiltern in April 2022, shortly after she qualified as a music therapist at UWE Bristol. She has experience working with children with learning disabilities, adult mental health within the community and acquired brain injury. Jenny is a singer with a passion for songwriting, improvisation and music technology. She has a particular interest in therapeutic songwriting and the use of voice in her clinical work.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
Vicky heads up the scheduling of all new and existing referrals for our team of Music Therapists and Community Musicians across England. Overseeing enquiries and referrals, she supports all clients to enable access Music Therapy or Community Music. Vicky also deals with recruitment of new staff and volunteers, staff boarding and supports all existing staff at Chiltern.
The delivery circle exists to enable access to Chiltern in order to fulfil every service request within our offer to help realise our vision and support the smooth running of new and existing offers and initiatives with a skilled workforce. All our clinical staff sit within our delivery circle and you can learn more about them and the other circle roles below.
Annmarie is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with over 26 years experience in the Human Resources profession. Annmarie has worked in small and large, public and private sector organisations. Her last role was as an Assistant Director of Workforce in Hywel Dda University Health Board in South Wales. She is passionately Welsh and currently a partner in the family farm in South Wales and works part time as a self-employed HR Consultant. Other professional interests include an appointment to the Audit and Performance Committee of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and as a Trailblazer Committee Member for Chiltern Music Therapy. Annmarie is an active volunteer in her local community and is currently Chair of the Governing Body for Ysgol Llannon, a member of the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice Fundraising Committee and President of Llannon Young Farmers Club. Annmarie is passionate to use her experience of corporate governance to ensure Chiltern Music Therapy’s services are delivered to high standards of best practice in the role of Compliance Lead.
Brendan is an experienced financial professional, having worked in accountancy since 2015. He works closely with the rest of the finance team to deliver accurate reporting and forecasting.
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
Katie heads up all things communications at Chiltern and tries to keep everyone ‘on brand’! She’s also a lover of systems and data and works across our circles (teams) to keep things running smoothly.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Steph supports with the scheduling of Music Therapy and Community Music referrals, as well as service contracts and training opportunities.
Vicky heads up the scheduling of all new and existing referrals for our team of Music Therapists and Community Musicians across England. Overseeing enquiries and referrals, she supports all clients to enable access Music Therapy or Community Music. Vicky also deals with recruitment of new staff and volunteers, staff boarding and supports all existing staff at Chiltern.
The Anchor Circle exists to guide the Chiltern ship in the present, and look forward to the future. See which roles sit within this circle below
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
Emma knew from the age of 4 whilst standing infront of an audience singing 'twinkle twinkle little star' dressed as a christmas tree that music would be a massive part of her life and now she gets to use music to help others! Emma trained at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and has since worked with a broad range of client groups specialising in working with children with additional needs. Emma is also passionate about supporting and nurturing staff as well as students and is able to do this in her two operational roles of ‘Life Circle Guardian’ and Placement Co-ordinator.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Izzy leads on the development of the external training offered by Chiltern Music Therapy across a variety of sectors. With a background in both the education and healthcare sectors, she brings a passion for learning and professional development with her to the role.
Jenny joined Chiltern in April 2022, shortly after she qualified as a music therapist at UWE Bristol. She has experience working with children with learning disabilities, adult mental health within the community and acquired brain injury. Jenny is a singer with a passion for songwriting, improvisation and music technology. She has a particular interest in therapeutic songwriting and the use of voice in her clinical work.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
The Fundraising circle exists to facilitate and increase revenue to secure and sustain the future of the organisation. You can learn more about the roles in this circle below.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Izzy leads on the development of the external training offered by Chiltern Music Therapy across a variety of sectors. With a background in both the education and healthcare sectors, she brings a passion for learning and professional development with her to the role.
The Culture Circle exists to cultivate and develop the theory and practice of Chiltern's culture in all spheres: organisational, therapeutic, interpersonal, internal and external.
Jim joined Chiltern in January 2018, shortly after he qualified as a music therapist and became a dad! Jim mostly works with school children and adults with learning disabilities at the moment, but has experience with clients with a range of diagnoses from nursery age all the way through to elderly care homes. He has a particular interest in working with people with psychosis, both in hospital and in the community. Jim is passionate about sustainability and created the Environmental & Sustainability Lead role at Chiltern at the beginning of 2021. He also works as a library music composer, with his music being used on Masterchef, Neighbours, Blue Peter, and many other programmes across the world.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Rosie founded Chiltern Music Therapy in 2011. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University and previously worked as a Music Therapist at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and with the NHS Learning Disability Community and Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. Completing training in Neurologic Music Therapy, MATADOC and Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy, she is passionate about continued professional development for Music Therapists. Supporting the organisation through transformational change into self-management and employee ownership has meant that her own learning continues to change and grow. Through her roles, she supports the staff with their personal development within Chiltern, whilst keeping conversations and connections going with other organisations, who share our passion and promise to make Music Therapy the transformative thread in everyday life.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Special Educational Needs and Music, Sabina went back to her family’s Irish roots and completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick. During her training, Sabina gained experience in adult mental health and ran a pilot project with family caregivers. Sabina also provided music therapy in a Dublin based hospital (and potentially holds the title for playing “Molly Malone” a record number of times!) Now back in the Midlands, Sabina works closely with adolescents who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children and adults with a range of disabilities. In 2019, Sabina gained further certification as a specialist Neurologic Music Therapist and is utilising this training to inform her work in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Sabina is passionate about using music as an accessible tool to help individuals achieve their goals. In her work, Sabina always aims to create an inclusive, comfortable, and supportive environment.
All our clinical staff sit within our delivery circle and you can learn more about them below.
Alice studied musicology at the University of Huddersfield and gained her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University. She has experience of working with children and adults with a wide range of needs, including autism, PMLD, learning disabilities, and mental health.
Amanda is a trained music therapist completing her masters at Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge. She has completed further training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Amanda is also a qualified primary teacher graduating from Middlesex University in 1995 and also continues part time in that role. She enjoys working with people of all ages and diagnosis including Epilepsy, brain injury, spinal injury, learning disabilities and clients within hospice care. She feels privileged to work with and to support clients and their families. Within Chiltern she has the role of Pod Comms Voicebox and a supervisor and enjoys producing resources and materials which can be used as visual props to support clients within music therapy sessions.
BaraHorejsi is a music therapist based in London, mainly working with children and young adults with additional needs as well as working as a research assistant at the University of Palacky. She graduated with double undergraduate in Special Needs Education (University of Palacky) and Music (University of Bristol) and masters in Music Therapy (University of Palacky).
Becky qualified as a Music Therapist in 2012 from Anglia Ruskin University and lived and worked for several years in Oxfordshire before relocating to undertake her PhD at the University of Nottingham, which she completed in 2020. She is passionate about the power of music and music therapy for people living with dementia, and about strengthening the connections between research and practice. As well as working for Chiltern Music Therapy she also works as a researcher, and in her spare time she enjoys running, crafting and spending time with her cat.
I am a recently qualified music therapist, and also a Support Worker for a Learning Disability Charity. Outside of work I enjoy composing songs and instrumental music, and spending time outdoors with my dog. I am interested in exploring how Music Therapy can help people feel noticed, appreciated and taken seriously .
Briony went to Anglia Ruskin University as a mature student in 2003, after having worked mainly in catering and health care work. She completed a BA (Hons) in Music and shortly afterwards an MA in Music Therapy. All the way through her training she was drawn towards working in palliative care and soon after completing the training she got her dream job in a hospice in Hull. For almost ten years, Briony worked with adults with life limiting illnesses and all ages for pre-bereavement and bereavement care. Within this role she worked in the hospice, in the community, nursing homes, schools and hospitals. Three years after adopting her daughter, Briony decided to move closer to family and then began working for Chiltern Music Therapy at the beginning of 2021. She works in the school environment, with young people who have severe learning disabilities and ASD.
Catherine is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021. Before qualifying as a Music Therapist, Catherine practised as a lawyer. Catherine’s clinical experience includes working with adults with acquired brain injury, adults living with dementia, pre-school children, children with autism and children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Catherine loves to sing, and is always a member of at least two choirs!
Chris completed her MA in Music Therapy at Roehampton University. Chris has experience of working with pre-school, primary and secondary school children with a range of needs. These include learning disabilities, autism, emotion and behavioural difficulties. Chris is passionate about finding a connection with each of her clients and enabling them to express themselves through their music. Chris is a violinist and enjoys playing in her local symphony orchestra.
Eleanor graduated with an MA in Music Therapy from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Eleanor has experience working with adults and children in schools, hospitals, and hospices, in areas including mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, neurodiversity, neurorehabilitation, and palliative care.
Music has always played a huge part in Eleanor's life. Having gone to a music specialised grammar school in Germany and having spent most of her free time singing in choirs and playing instruments, it was clear to her that she would go on and do something that would involve music. Eleanor went on to study Social Pedagogy at a University in Germany and once she graduated she worked in various institutions with people who had learning disabilities, autism, dementia and mental health issues and always used music as a tool to communicate with the clients. She enjoys working with all kinds of people and she hopes to complete a music therapy degree in the future.
Elizabeth completed her MSc in Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University before carrying out further study to train as a Neurologic Music Therapist, NICU-MT, and MATADOC assessor. She is passionate about neurorehabilitation and supporting children and adults with brain injury to reach their goals and is currently heading up an exciting pilot project at a neurorehab unit in East London. Elizabeth also plays cello and piano and when she’s not working she can be found kung-fu-ing, running, or playing tennis! In her role as Neuro Network Champion, Elizabeth oversees our business development and PR in this sector as well as coordinating our neuro & medical services team. She also holds a number of other roles, including as an external trainer in the Outcomes Stars and an internal trainer in the Working Out Loud method which helps our team to reach their personal and professional goals. Additionally, she holds the role of supervisor and Advance Link, communicating key information between our Advance Circle which focuses on business development and income generation, and our Outer Circle which holds our vision and company strategy.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Music, Emma realised the power of Music to help others. Emma has experience working with adults with learning disabilities, children in SEN settings and in neurorehabilitation. Currently, Emma is completing her Masters in Music Therapy.
Emma knew from the age of 4 whilst standing infront of an audience singing 'twinkle twinkle little star' dressed as a christmas tree that music would be a massive part of her life and now she gets to use music to help others! Emma trained at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and has since worked with a broad range of client groups specialising in working with children with additional needs. Emma is also passionate about supporting and nurturing staff as well as students and is able to do this in her two operational roles of ‘Life Circle Guardian’ and Placement Co-ordinator.
Gabrielle joined Chiltern in 2017 and has loved being part of a forward thinking and growing team that's passionate about making music therapy understood and accessible for everyone. After a career in business Gabrielle had a change of direction and completed her MA at Roehampton University. She has also completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU and MATADOC. Gabrielle loves the opportunity that working for Chiltern provides to see clients of all ages - from working with the elderly in care homes, seeing young people in schools to working with pre-schoolers in their home. In addition to her clinical work Gabrielle is the Business Development Lead in the Advance Circle.
Gareth completed his MA in Music Therapy at Guildhall, School of Music and Drama and also has an MMus and BMus (Hons). As a Music Therapist he works freelance as well as for Chiltern Music Therapy. Gareth works within a variety of settings with varied client groups of all ages. His clinical experience ranges from acute mental health to children and adolescents with Learning Difficulties, ASD and SEBD, as well as Dementia and neurological deficit. Prior to becoming a Music Therapist, Gareth worked as an Opera Singer, working for such companies as Glyndebourne opera and English National Opera, having trained at the Opera Department at the Guildhall, School of Music and Drama. As a Music Therapist, Gareth is keen to draw from both his vocal and therapeutic understanding the potential of the voice as a therapeutic tool to enhance a persons understanding of self, nurturing from within and promoting a healthier outlook.
James has completed his MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University in 2018 and has experience working within special schools, forensic units and general wards. He has worked with children and adults with learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties, Autism, Downs Syndrome and mental health conditions James' use of guitar, piano, voice and percussive instruments allows for communication to occur in both a musical and verbal capacity, encouraging positive development in a number of areas such as communication and language skills, self-expression and wellbeing. He also has a degree in popular music from Anglia Ruskin University.
Jenny joined Chiltern in April 2022, shortly after she qualified as a music therapist at UWE Bristol. She has experience working with children with learning disabilities, adult mental health within the community and acquired brain injury. Jenny is a singer with a passion for songwriting, improvisation and music technology. She has a particular interest in therapeutic songwriting and the use of voice in her clinical work.
Following many years as a teacher and performer, Jenny chose to explore new ways of using music to enrich lives by becoming a music therapist, gaining her MA at UWE Bristol and subsequently training in Neurologic Music Therapy in Hamburg. She has particular interests in neurorehabilitation and working with people with learning disabilities and has undertaken research into how music is involved in the everyday lives of those with Rett syndrome. Outside of her music therapy work, Jenny loves playing the baroque cello and viola da gamba and inspiring her cello students in their own playing and love of music.
Jenny is a Registered Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow, GIM practitioner, Certified Play Therapist as well as a Counsellor. By integrating those therapeutic skills, she provides appropriate interventions to clients based on their needs and conditions. Jenny provides therapeutic services to individuals and groups in different settings. In the past thirteen years, the organisations that she served including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, hospice centres, the clinical oncology department of a hospital, cancer centre of a hospital, breast cancer patient organisations, and elderly centres, etc. Her clients range from children with special educational needs, to the older adults at the end of life. In recent years, Jenny also focused on people with emotion issues and people who are in rehabilitation.
Jessica has been a music therapist since 1998 and part of Chiltern since 2017. Her love of sharing music with people has found a home in music therapy, although she has also worked as a violinist and music teacher. She cares, perhaps more than anything else, about people being heard and valued and joining Chiltern felt like coming home. Jessica now works alongside the whole team to help grow the values and ethos of the organisation and to support colleagues in their work. Her experiences have led her to research into the ways of knowing that happen in music therapy. She also loves walking and making things!
Jess graduated from the University of Derby in 2022 and has since enjoyed working all over the Midlands. She also has a BMus Music degree from the University of Huddersfield. Jess has experience with working with adults and children with a range of needs, including mental health, learning disabilities, autism and dementia. Jess has been a musician for over 20 years and enjoys playing in a local concert band and big band on clarinet and saxophone.
Jim joined Chiltern in January 2018, shortly after he qualified as a music therapist and became a dad! Jim mostly works with school children and adults with learning disabilities at the moment, but has experience with clients with a range of diagnoses from nursery age all the way through to elderly care homes. He has a particular interest in working with people with psychosis, both in hospital and in the community. Jim is passionate about sustainability and created the Environmental & Sustainability Lead role at Chiltern at the beginning of 2021. He also works as a library music composer, with his music being used on Masterchef, Neighbours, Blue Peter, and many other programmes across the world.
Jo is a Community Musician at Chiltern. Jo’s working background is predominantly administrative, but since making the leap in late 2017 (leaving her role as royalties director at a literary agency), she hasn’t looked back! Jo has always had a passion for music and enjoys playing piano/keys, singing, improvising and writing in bands, however, in early 2018 she discovered a different way of experiencing music with people that really struck a ‘chord’ with her. It all started with volunteering as a music assistant at Share (an organisation providing support to adults with learning disabilities, physical/sensory impairments, autism and mental health needs). Later in 2018 the opportunity to join Chiltern came along and Jo jumped at the chance – she has loved meeting different people, sharing music with them and seeing the joy participatory music-making can bring. Long may it continue!
Josh completed his MA in Music Therapy at the University of Roehampton. Josh’s clinical experience includes working in community settings with adults with mental health diagnoses and in a mainstream primary school with children experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. He also has many years of experience working in SEN settings with young adults with learning disabilities, including profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and autism. Josh has a keen interest in mental health and is passionate about the difference music can make to people’s well-being. He is a singer and plays cello, piano and guitar and has been working as a performer and music teacher since 2012.
Kasia holds the role of Culture Developer at Chiltern Music Therapy and is a qualified Music Therapist, completing her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a broad experience base working with children and adults of all ages across the community, in schools, hospitals and family homes. With specialist training in Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy, Kasia’s recent clinical work has focused on setting up and developing services in neonatal units. At Chiltern, Kasia has guided the team through the development and restructure into self management and employee ownership, with a passion for supporting staff wellbeing and development. Kasia joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and also holds the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation.
Laura trained as a music therapist at UWE Bristol and studied music at the University of Surrey. Since qualifying, she has completed additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy and is a qualified MATADOC assessor. Laura is based in Bath and can take referrals in and around Bath and Bristol. She specialises in working with neurological conditions and with stroke and brain injury survivors, and is particularly interested in supporting people with aphasia and other communication difficulties. Laura also supports children and young people who have experienced early trauma. As a self-confessed music therapy and psychology geek Laura also coordinates our research and academic network and can often be found at conferences or sharing interesting articles on twitter!
From the age of 13 Laura was dedicated to achieving her goal of becoming a Music Therapist, which she did at the age of 24 after graduating from Guildhall. She initially joined Chiltern as a student on placement and now works with them full time and adores her work. She is devoted to using music to connect with her clients and has experience working with children, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, who have developmental and social-emotional needs, and adults, young and old, who are recovering from or experiencing mental health problems. Laura loves to sing and play a number of instruments and can’t go a day without tinkling the ivories!
Matt has been qualified as a music therapist since 2005. He has worked in Learning Disability, Dementia and Trauma. He's a senior lecturer in music therapy and sings and plays the guitar, flute and percussion.
Natasha completed her Masters in Music Therapy at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, before going on to complete specialist training in Neurologic Music Therapy, NICU-MT and MATADOC assessments. An experienced Music Therapist in various settings, her passion and commitment for Paediatric and Neonatal Music Therapy has seen her develop and deliver music therapy in several London Hospitals. Most recently, setting up the first-ever music therapy service at St Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington, across their PICU, NICU and Acute Paediatric Wards. Alongside her clinical work at Chiltern, she holds several key operational roles, leading the team training, supervising staff and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In 2021, Natasha joined the Board of Directors at Chiltern.
Nathan completed his MA in Music Therapy at the University of Roehampton. Shortly after qualifying, he began his new adventure as a Music Therapist at Chiltern. He has experience working with autistic children and children experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, and older adult mental health, including dementia. Nathan completed the neurologic music therapy training and now holds a ratified Neurologic Music Therapist certification. He hopes that his interest in music and the brain can be utilised and inform his work in the field of neurorehabilitation. Nathan is passionate about the numerous ways that music can be used to meet the needs of various service users.
Since completing her MA in Music Therapy at UWE Bristol, Rose has worked in a variety of specialised educational settings with children and teenagers, and qualified as a Neurologic Music Therapist in 2021. She has clinical experience working with both adults and children, and has worked with a range of clients including those with ASD, PMLD, emotional and behavioural needs and acquired brain injury. In her other work, Rose is passionate about the outdoors and wildlife, and works as a gardener and bat surveyor in the South West.
Art and music are my absolute passions. During my master’s course in Art and Music Therapy for disability and diversity inclusion, I studied psychology, neurology and sociology and I attended laboratories with professionals to integrate the art knowledge to the health care scientific approaches. This has prepared me with knowledge on how to work with a wide range of patients that have complex psycho-social profiles. I have the unusual background for an Art and Music therapist to be a radiographer as well, but I think this benefits me greatly as I often have to work in multi-disciplinary teams. I have further developed my professional skills thanks to training courses and extra-curricular work. I feel that my experience of working as a band 7 radiographer in the NHS has given me a good foundation of working in a multidisciplinary team which is import especially as it will require working in different environments. It is very important to be able to build interpersonal relationships and I am very much a people person. Coordinating a team with a high work load, and supporting the students in their traineeship, also helped me in improving my communicational skills. Regarding my Art Therapy experience, during my MA placement I had the opportunity to help vulnerable people such as non verbal autistic children and young adults, elderly patients with dementia, patients with depression, and other specific mental health conditions such as personality disorder, psychosis, etc. The main activities were based on music therapy for SEN, which could include playing, singing, crafting handmade instruments, or just doing rhythmical and physical exercises like dancing. In addition to this experience, I also have experience of teaching music back home (in Italy) which involved me delivering piano, guitar and vocal sessions to kids and young adults in my community. Other activities were painting and drama performance for Sunday School programmes, or assistance for immigrants through the community Catholic Church in my home town. Even now after my degree I am still trying to expand my knowledge by completing CPDs in areas such as psychotherapy and CBT which I really enjoy.
After studying an undergraduate degree in Special Educational Needs and Music, Sabina went back to her family’s Irish roots and completed an MA in Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick. During her training, Sabina gained experience in adult mental health and ran a pilot project with family caregivers. Sabina also provided music therapy in a Dublin based hospital (and potentially holds the title for playing “Molly Malone” a record number of times!) Now back in the Midlands, Sabina works closely with adolescents who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as children and adults with a range of disabilities. In 2019, Sabina gained further certification as a specialist Neurologic Music Therapist and is utilising this training to inform her work in the field of neuro-rehabilitation. Sabina is passionate about using music as an accessible tool to help individuals achieve their goals. In her work, Sabina always aims to create an inclusive, comfortable, and supportive environment.
Before becoming an international DJ in 2000, Sam worked in I.T., Project Management and as a P.A. so she has lots of office experience as well as a passion for music. She studied C&G Sound Design & Music Technology and has produced and released many tracks. She is also a Reiki Master and incorporates Sound Healing into her treatments and music, and is also an NLP & Hypnotherapy Practitioner.
Verity’s values as a music therapist are to work uniquely to suit the needs of the client, to use music to make meaningful moments and to always think creatively, often using mixed medias. Verity is a trained Music Therapist in the Norfolk area, having completed her training at Anglia Ruskin University in 2018. Verity is a singer and uses vocal work in her sessions, allowing songs to create reminiscence and reflection, and using songwriting and singing to release self-expression. Verity is passionate in using music creatively to unlock a person's potential. Verity completed her Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI) training in 2023, which combines music and creative medias along with guided meditation to allow clients to manage daily anxiety and self-care. She will be completing the next stage of this training (Re-educative Music and Imagery/RMI) in 2024.
Vicky completed her MA in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since then she has had experience of working with children and adults with a variety of needs. She specialises in working with older adults with dementia. She is passionate about improving the quality of life of those living with dementia.
Chloe completed her MA in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Life Science at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. Since qualifying, she has delivered sessions with people who have different needs. For example, children with ASD, ADHD and PMLD; adults with mental health difficulties and elderly people with dementia. Apart from clinical practice, she hosted workshops and lectures in Taiwan to introduce music therapy as well as the importance of well-being. Relocating to the UK in 2023, she continued her jobs in schools and community-based settings, mainly in the Midlands. Her primary instrument is the violin and piano. She enjoys playing the violin in various orchestras.
.svg)
.avif)