Stuart is a composer and conductor working in and around York.  He was born in Sheffield and from 1969 – 1972 was the conductor of the Sheffield Youth Opera Group.  As a student he studied composition at the University of Wales with David Wynne and Alun Hoddinott. He studied conducting with John Carewe.  In 1995 he worked with his friend, the late  David  Fanshawe,  conducting  David’s  African Sanctus at Wells Cathedral. For many years he was a successful music teacher and has composed many music theatre and concert pieces for children. His compositions range from choral and orchestral music to songs, chamber music and music theatre.  Works include Sinfonia Concertante, Advent Cantata, Thespis, The Canterville Ghost (shortlisted for the Vivien Ellis prize), Te Deum, Five Sacred Pieces and Songs to Old English Texts (which was premiered in London in 1987 by Ian Bostridge).    The  Battle Cantata was performed in 2016 by a chorus of 150 singers and an orchestra of 40.  In 2019 the premiere of his new choral work An English Requiem was performed in Pocklington to great acclaim.

Stuart Nettleship's style is wide-ranging and is influenced by Vaughan Williams, Sibelius, Wagner and the Second Viennese School.  He is also interested in Jazz and some of his music shows this influence.