A Wandsworth music academy is about to release its second video in a six-part series to celebrate south west London’s past, present and future.
The YouTube series looks to promote the official launch of World Heart Beat’s venue and music academy in Nine Elms in October.
The six music videos feature students of the music academy and will be released on separate commemorative days including St. Patrick’s Day and the Queen’s Julibee.
World Heart Beat founder Sahana Gero, 55 said: “I’m really really proud of the videos. It’s taken us about a year to make, cut and film.”
Samba Parade, releasing on their YouTube channel on March 1, celebrates the Latin community in ‘Little Portugal’, Wandsworth.
The video features Year 5 students from Griffin Primary School who took part in weekly Latin samba workshops led by Brazilian drummer Xande Oliveira.
The students played Samba drums donated by the Academy and wore headdresses they made during sessions with TARU arts using recycled materials.
The first of six Nine Elms Session released on February 15 celebrates Vauxhall-born Hilda Hewitt, the first British woman to gain an air pilot license.
The video of Fly Away boasts an all-female band and Gero said: “We wanted to celebrate the fact that she was a woman.”
The third video called Settlers was co-supported by Irish Property Developer EcoWorld Ballymore and pays homage to Irish settlers seeking employment around River Thames.
The video will be released on March 17 for St. Patrick’s Day and was recorded on a boat.
World Heart Beat is a charity based in Kimber Road, Wandsworth that provides music tuition and performance opportunities for 380 students aged 5-25.
The music academy was awarded National Portfolio Organisation status by Arts Council England in 2018 which acknowledged its contributions in diversity and equality.
Talking more about her reasons for founding World Heart Beat, Sahana said music transforms lives and helps the world be a better place.
“If you can unlock a child’s talent, and you can provide them happiness, is there anything better in this life?”
In October, the second music academy will officially launch with a new concert venue that will be London’s first community venue to open since 2008.
The charity was awarded the space in Embassy Gardens in 2018 next to the US Embassy as ‘cultural anchor tenants’ by Wandsworth Council.
The charity was awarded £800,000 by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help with the total £3.2million the project will cost.
Councillor Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council said the new education facility would provide unrivalled opportunities for our young people from all backgrounds.
The music academy has now launched the final phase of its fundraising campaign, to raise the last £600,000 to enable them to realise their vision
For those who are interested in supporting the charity fulfil their vision you can donate here.
For students or children who are interested in getting involved with World Heart Beat, the next open day will be tomorrow.
