Music academy appeal to get free tuition for kids

A music academy has launched a campaign to offer free music tuition for children and young people in response to the cost-of-living crisis. 

Wandsworth-based World Heart Beat Music Academy – which started up in 2009 – wants to remove financial barriers to participation and is calling on people and businesses to make cash gifts to help children take part.

World Heart Beat also provides students with free instruments and is asking for donations of good quality instruments (excluding keyboards).  

The academy’s home is in a converted warehouse in Kimber Road, Southfields and is expanding operations with a second centre at Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms. 

Artistic director Sahana Gero said: “Learning an instrument is like magic – it opens doors. Countless research tells us that children and young people learn better and faster in all areas of their life if they learn music.  

“Coming together to make music transcends social divides. It brings humanity and joy, friendships and happiness into the lives of our students. We hope people will be inspired to help and make a gift. 

“It costs £1,200 to give a child tuition for a year. Free access is vital, as music teaching in schools has been severely cut, and the chance to play an instrument is denied to those that cannot afford to pay.” 

Students can learn 13 different types of music, including jazz, Latin, Indian music and western classical.

More than half of their 380 students receive free tuition through bursaries. Around 60 per cent of World Heart Beat’s students are from BAME backgrounds.  

Young people typically come to the academy for seven years and 77 per cent of students taking exams receive a merit or distinction.  

You can make a donation through this link: Click here to donate.   

For individuals or businesses interested in supporting students across the year, please contact Sal Sherratt, at sal@worldheartbeat.org.  

Picture: World Heart Beat Music