Our Story
As a musical director and vocal coach, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be for music graduates and students to access high-quality training whilst transitioning into the industry. Private, high-quality vocal tuition is expensive, and opportunities to grow while working in the field are rare.
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I created The Music Training Exchange because I believe in learning through teaching — and in the power of reinvestment. I wanted to build a community where emerging musicians could gain real-world teaching experience, while also continuing their own training.
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With the programme providing teachers professional development credits for every lesson they give, we’re creating a model that feeds and funds itself. A place where growth is mutual, and success is shared.
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The MTE is my way of giving back to the musical world that shaped me — and building a future where young musicians feel supported.
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I look forward to hearing how the programme can help you on your journey.
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Miss Nellie x
How We Work
The Music Training Exchange is a purpose-driven music initiative designed to support the next generation of performers. We connect students with enthusiastic music students/graduates for fun, contemporary instrumental lessons.
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But what truly sets us apart is our unique exchange model.
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For every lesson a teacher delivers, they earn credits.
These credits are then exchanged for 1-2-1 vocal pedagogy and technique lessons with permanent opportunities to work towards Ofqual recognised qualifications. This circular system means that as teachers pass on their knowledge to young learners, they’re also investing in their own development. It’s a win-win, built on the belief that teaching is learning in motion.
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The MTE empowers early-career performers, who are looking for financial stability, to expand their skillsets, and maintain their vocal health, knowledge and ability.
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At its heart, The MTE is about growth, community, and reinvestment — a cycle where everyone learns, everyone gains, and the industry makes positive progression.
About the Director
Hi, I’m Nellie – the founder of The Music Training Exchange (The MTE). I created The MTE with a clear vision: to support young musicians to build meaningful careers while delivering high-quality, accessible music tuition to students of all ages. At its core, The MTE is a vibrant learning exchange – a place where teaching fuels growth, and learning empowers those who teach.
My musical foundation is in classical music, and I later cross-trained in musical theatre, both in performance and teaching pedagogies. In the early stages of my career, I had a realisation that the pressure and structure of drama school or conservatoire was not going to aid my success, so I began working professionally. I started out shadowing and assisting on amateur and youth productions, whilst putting myself through development courses, so I could teach alongside shows.
Since booking my first professional show at age 19 I have worked as Musical Director and/or Head of Department on over 25 productions, leading creative teams and performers through high-level musical storytelling, vocal stamina and acting through song. I now maintain my portfolio career, whilst teaching privately, predominantly coaching for drama school and/or industry auditions.
My current permanent positions include teaching 1-2-1 singing at Laine Theatre Arts - one of the UK's top performing arts institutions. Alongside this, I coach musical theatre competition teams, working with pre-professional students to perform at large-scale festivals such as AED regionals and nationals.
I hold Level 3 qualifications in both Classical Music and Singing for Musical Theatre, as well as a Level 4 Performance Qualification in Singing for Musical Theatre (ARSM.) I uphold a 100% pass rate for all student exams, across multiple instruments and exam boards. In December 2025, I am taking my Level 7 examination in Musical Direction (FRSM.)
My musical direction work has involved everything from conducting to click track programming to composing, arranging, and orchestrating. I use industry-standard technologies across all work, predominantly running QLab and MainStage from the pit whilst conducting from keys.
Throughout my journey, I have had the pleasure of being mentored and guided by many fantastic creatives. A key turning point in my career was assisting Ms Jennifer Edmonds (Head of Singing, Urdang) on multiple projects – a formative experience that ignited my passion for vocal technique and voice science. I later completed Estill Voice Training, an evidence-based approach to vocal pedagogy grounded in anatomy and function. Another invaluable experience was being a part of the Musical Director Mentorship Scheme, under Ms Lauren Hopkinson (Six, Babies.) I am registered with an all-female creative directory, Maestra, and a member of the Musician's Union.
The MTE is a space where music education becomes a shared journey - a self-funded exchange model changing the landscape of the industry by supporting emerging performers. It’s where teaching music becomes a pathway to lifelong development.​​