Approach and Values

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.

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

Expanding the art of possibility

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