Music Learning Collective
Music Learning Collective Academy
Music Learning Collective Academy
Music Learning Collective Academy

About MLC

We are an inclusive, community-based centre of excellence for aspiring musicians of all ages and abilities

Since opening our doors in 2007, we have helped thousands of people to realise their potential and musical ambitions throughout the UK, France, Italy and beyond.

As a centre of excellence, our student-centred approach supports creative and individual growth to enable each and every student to unleash their potential, regardless of age and ability. Our connections and affiliations with industry leading organisations creates pathways to further and higher education, alongside professional performance opportunities throughout the year, all guided by our team of expert and highly-qualified teachers.

Our partnership with Abbey Road Music provides specialist advice and support, together with discounts and access to all of the equipment and tools that you will need on your journey to becoming a musician.

Read more about our team below or follow the links to find an academy near you

MLC Academy Paul Hose

Paul Hose


FRSA, LTCL, LRSL – CEO and Founder of MLC Academy

Paul is an Author, Drummer, Teacher and Examiner, co-founder of Abbey Road Music and CEO of MLC. He studied drums with internationally renowned teacher, Dom Famularo and the legendary Jim Chapin. Having taught in several music institutions throughout the UK and Singapore, Paul opened the doors to his own music school in 2004 and subsequently launched the MLC in 2007, where he continues to teach a limited number of students privately.

Paul has published books and apps for several notable drummers and, in 2004, composed all of the sight-reading tests and selected the performance pieces for the Trinity College London entire drum kit syllabus. In 2009 he signed his own publishing deal with Alfred Music Publishing. Drumset for Beginners was first published by Alfred in 2010, whilst Drumset for Beginners: Latin was released in 2019 with subsequent titles set for release annually from 2020.

Having gained his Licentiate of both RSL Awards and Trinity College London, Paul is now a Music Examiner for Rockschool – a role that sees him assess the progress of musicians of all ages and abilities throughout the world. Furthermore, Paul has become an Arts Award Adviser for Trinity College London, supporting and assessing young people through Arts Award Bronze, Silver and Gold courses. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Paul’s work in education has been recognised by the Vic Firth Company who awarded him with “An Outstanding Contribution to Teaching”. He is endorsed by Sabian Cymbals, Natal Drums, Promark drumsticks, Evans drumheads and Protection Racket drum cases.

MLC Academy Simon Brown

Simon Brown


PhD, FHEA, MA, BA (Hons), DipMus – Director of Education

Simon is Director of Education at the MLC. Having studied Music at The University of Nottingham, he gained his PhD in Music from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and is now a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Before joining the MLC in 2019, he held a position at the Royal College of Music in London and has published extensively on digital musicology and the experience of listening to music. He has given talks and presented conference papers throughout the UK and further afield, including the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, The Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, the Royal College of Music, the University of Manchester, the Cheltenham Music Festival and the British Library.

Having performed across much of the UK in addition to Europe and the US, his involvements have included studio, television and orchestral work. He’s performed double bass with the COMA Ensemble and the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra and, in 2010, was accepted as part of the official Warwick Basses endorsing artists programme. He is currently a Lecturer at the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, teaching Music Production, Sound and Audio Theory and is also an Associate Lecturer and an Honorary Associate at The Open University, teaching their music courses throughout the UK.

MLC Academy Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer


BA (Hons), LLCM, LTCL – Director of Communications and Events

Laura is the Director of Communications and Events for the MLC. Having gained her B.A. (Hons) degree in Communications, she joined a world-leading commercial retailer for over 10 years, where she managed multi-million pound projects and delivered communications and events to over 32,000 people a week.

In 2008 she went on to study the voice and gained her Licentiate with both Trinity College London and the London College of Music. Since then, Laura has trained hundreds of students, enabling them to gain confidence and realise their vocal potential. In addition, Laura is the Principal of one of the UK’s largest network of Performing Arts Schools, specialising in the training of 4-18 year olds.

Laura still performs regularly in various bands and ensembles. Her past performances have included a number of prestigious venues such as The Albert Hall and Theatre Royal, Nottingham and the Broadway Theatre in London to name but a few. She has also been involved in several recording sessions across the UK and in Los Angeles. Her love of music and communication come together perfectly in this role for MLC where Laura can engage and create performance opportunities for our future stars.

Steve McCabe


ATCL, BND – Director of Operations

Steve is an Associate of Trinity College London, an accomplished and widely-respected Guitarist, Teacher, co-owner of MLC Nottingham and Director of Operations of MLC Group. Coming from a musical family, he was introduced to music at an early age and began by playing the piano and violin.

His passion for the guitar soon surfaced and Steve went on to achieve his Grade 8 qualification in record time. He studied at New College Nottingham to achieve his BND in Music and subsequently went on tour across the UK and Europe as a session musician, performing in many original and cover bands. Upon returning, Steve soon found his passion for teaching, and originally joined MLC as a Guitar Teacher back in 2011. Since then, Steve has supported hundreds of students through their music exams, sustaining a 100% pass rate and regularly helps deliver performances and tuition in mainstream schools. His value and contribution to MLC Nottingham was soon recognised by Paul, when he was made co-owner and Director of Operations in 2015.

Steve has recently recorded an acoustic solo album and continues to perform and record with many of the UK’s local musicians on a number of other projects. Alongside his busy teaching, performing and recording commitments, Steve has recently gained his Associate Diploma with Trinity College London.

MLC Academy Lucy Harne

Lucy Harne


Invoicing and Exams Officer

Lucy joins the MLC as Invoicing and Exams Officer. With over 15 years of business experience in both the retail and textile industry, including the delivery of multi-million-pound projects for one of the world’s biggest retailers, Lucy is perfectly placed to ensure that we stay on track and support the brand as we continue to grow.

Lucy joins the MLC as Invoicing and Exams Officer. With over 15 years of business experience in both the retail and textile industry, including the delivery of multi-million pound projects for one of the worlds biggest retailers, Lucy is perfectly placed to ensure that we stay on track and support the brand as we continue to grow.

On a Saturday, Lucy is the manager of Stagecoach Performing Arts Burton upon Trent supporting in the weekly running of the school and spends time coaching the teachers and students alike. Lucy is also a licensed chaperone, with experience of chaperoning children in many theatres and venues across the country.

MLC Phoebe Lawes

Phoebe Lawes


Content Manager

Phoebe is the Content Manager and Video Editor for the Music Learning Collective. Working closely with Laura and Simon, she is responsible for editing and organising all of our content to ensure everything is on track and that we can publish regular high-quality assets both to our website and social media channels.

Phoebe is the Content Manager and Video Editor for the Music Learning Collective. Working closely with Laura and Simon, she is responsible for editing and organising all of our content to ensure everything is on track and that we can publish regular high-quality assets both to our website and social media channels.

In her spare time, Phoebe also plays guitar, bass & sings. She has qualifications in Music Technology & Media Studies; she is an alumni of the BFI Film Academy Programme and has worked as a freelance Video Editor for the last 3 years.

Kate Boothroyd


Admissions Officer

Kate joins the MLC as our Admissions Officer working closely with Steve and the Nottingham team to welcome students to MLC. After graduating with an English degree, Kate went on to work in product development and buying with one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies for over 11 years, buying everything from Sandwiches to Christmas gifts!

Since then Kate set up her independent Cake business, “Kaboom Cakes” providing delicious treats for events, weddings and birthdays across the Midlands. In her spare time, Kate is a proud mum to 3 beautiful boys and enjoys interior design and spending time with family and friends.