World Heart Beat World Heart Beat Music Academy World Heart Beat Music Academy
Young musicians enjoying the world heart beat music academy

The Academy

We are World Heart Beat…

World Heart Beat Music Academy in SW London, is a joyful, welcoming and innovative place, where young people, aged 5-25, are brought together with world-class musicians to share their love of music.

We started life in 2012 on Kimber Road in Wandsworth, in a converted space above Charles Wilson Engineers Ltd. The academy now welcomes over 350 students to its music learning space each week, offering a broad range of instrumental lessons, as well as the chance to play in ensembles such as jazz, orchestra and gig bands.

Two teaching venues…

In November 2022, we opened our second music education space, and concert hall, at Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms. At this vibrant new venue, we will be offering similar music learning opportunities , and all young people in the surrounding area are welcome to learn with us.

Music learning will take place at your chosen location, however, all musicians will have the opportunity to perform at either venue.

Our values underpin everything we do:

  • A powerful commitment to musical excellence.
  • A warm embrace of people, cultures and world music.
  • A non-exclusive, non-elitist philosophy, with no financial barriers.

The charity, founded in 2009 by Sahana Gero MBE, promotes music as a universal form of communication – one that quite simply transforms the lives of young people. We nurture young talent by providing a richly diverse, unique and inclusive teaching environment, and offer a broad programme of music lessons, workshops and events.

Our open admissions policy ensures that there are no barriers, financial or other – we provide music education for all young people, offering free music lessons and instruments for those in need.

World Heart Beat Music Academy offers…

  • A welcoming, creative and safe environment
  • Teaching by renowned, professional musicians
  • A diverse range of musical genres
  • Small group, or one-to-one music lessons
  • Opportunities to join a band or orchestra
  • Superb performance opportunities
  • Bursary places and free instruments if needed
  • Access to wonderful practice spaces
  • High pass rates in music exams
  • Recording studio facilities
  • The chance to progress, year after year

Young people studying with us have the unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the most eminent contemporary, international musicians. The Academy has a remarkable track record – generating some of the best talent coming through in today’s music scene.

Expanding the art of possibility

Learning a musical instrument gives a child an immense sense of achievement. The emotion, discipline and structure involved, takes them on a journey far beyond their initial expectations, and they soon recognise that there are no limits.

Sahana Gero, Artistic Director

Every child is born with an undeniable connection to music, one that begins with that most essential rhythm of life – the heart beat. This connection is a potential source of joy, vitality and purpose through the childhood years, and on into adulthood. It can develop into a language that expresses the value of each individual, bridging cultural and social divides.

Nurturing inner confidence

Learning and playing music with others enables young people to feel that they are a part of something, something that nobody can take away from them. This nurtures an inner confidence that affects all other areas of life – giving them the freedom to make choices, towards becoming happy and successful adults.

Why we’re different

These life skills have never been more important than in the current global economic situation. We hear speak of a ‘lost generation’ of young people. Commentators point to the widening socio-economic gap, and the seemingly intractable problem of marginalised young people who can see no way out of their disadvantage and isolation.

In the face of this overwhelming sense of powerlessness, at World Heart Beat we believe in the art of the possible, in the power of music to transform lives. In fact, we don’t just believe it, we see it happen day after day.

The academy is such a treasure to the world and it’s a much better place with it being part of it. Your love and commitment to music and the young people needs to be applauded

Baroness Floella Benjamin

Bursaries

We believe that there should be no barriers to young people accessing musical education — we offer bursaries to those in need…

Learning a musical instrument gives a child an immense sense of achievement. The emotion, discipline and structure involved, takes them on a journey far beyond their initial expectations, and they soon recognise that there are no limits.

Sahana Gero

Founder & Artistic Director

Our Charter

Vision, values & goals

For a more in depth look at what we are doing and why, have a look at our charter.

Read Our Charter

World Heart Beat Founder

Sahana Gero

Find out more about Sahana, the founder of World Heart Beat Music Academy.

Tell Me About Sahana

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