KATIE NEILSON
Trainer & Mentor
Schools and EY settings
Katie’s work as a trainer and mentor is an important and enjoyable part of her portfolio career. Having worked with national music education charity, The Voices Foundation from 2008 until its closure in 2024, Katie now works in part for ABRSM Voices and in part independently for a range of schools, multi-academy trusts and educational organisations. Katie enjoys training and mentoring both music specialists and non-specialist teachers.
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Katie takes a flexible approach and responds to each individual’s needs. This might include team teaching, observation, demonstrations, one-to-one and group training.
Sadly since the closure of The Voices Foundation in 2024, the wonderful impact film featuring Central Primary School in Watford where Katie trained and supported staff from 2009 until 2020 is no longer available to view.
The Voices Foundation Impact Film (YouTube)
It is always great to reconnect with teachers I have worked with over the years and hear how certain songs, performances or musical experiences have stayed with them - music really does make a difference in people's lives and I am very lucky to play a part in that!'
- Katie -
Family Music with 0-5s and their grown-ups
In 2020 Katie teamed up with Nicola Burke and Rosie Adediran to form The Family Music Hub which is a community interest company dedicated to training and supporting the workforce of family workers, library staff, volunteers, teachers, musicians and more who use music as part of their work with 0-5s and their families. The Family Music Hub is gradually building a fantastic reputation in the Early Years sector and has recently secured a significant grant from Youth Music to support the development and testing of their training programme.
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Certificate for Music Educators (CME)
Since 2023 Katie has been working with a fantastic group of like-minded mentors, supporting students studying for the CME: Early Childhood at CREC in Birmingham. It is a level 4 course perfect for Early Childhood music educators interested seeking further training and wishing to gain an internationally recognised qualification. Find out more by following this link.
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Katie has always invested in individuals in the school and doesn’t just deliver to the group. She makes sure all teachers have the tools to succeed
- Hayley, Central Primary School, Watford -
