Listen to the beat

The vision to transform Embassy Gardens into London’s newest cultural hub took a major step forward with the choice of World Heart Beat Music Academy as the development’s key cultural anchor.

Selected from 42 organisations by Wandsworth Council and EcoWorld Ballymore to become the area’s newest cultural tenants, World Heart Beat’s new creative space at Embassy Gardens will include a 110-seat auditorium and state-of-the-art educational, recording and broadcasting facilities opening next year.

World Heart Beat is an award-winning music charity committed to bridging cultural, political, economic and linguistic barriers through music. Its Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation status reflects its key role in teaching musical excellence to a highly diversing young community.

Students are taught, mentored and nurtured by top professionals – with no cost. Since 2002, World Heart Beat has motivated over 1,000 children to learn and play music.

World Heart Beat Founder Sahana Gero said: “Embassy Gardens is going to elevate us to a completely new level. It means that our concept for changing the lives of the next generation of raw talent through music education can become a reality for much greater numbers than we can reach currently.”

Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cllr Ravi Govindia, said: “I am delighted to welcome World Heart Beat to Nine Elms, the second cultural anchor to be announced. Art and culture is at the heart of our vision for Nine Elms and World Heart Beat are well known for championing music education of all kinds to young people in the borough.

“I am proud that the Council has played its part it helping to nurture this very popular and well respected local organisation and the move to Nine Elms will open their services up to residents in Battersea and beyond. This will contribute to creating a vibrant hub of activity in the developing Embassy quarter – helping to link communities, new and existing, across the Nine Elms area.”

Sean Mulryan, CEO of Ballymore Group said: “World Heart Beat moving to Embassy Gardens is demonstrative of our commitment to creating vibrant new neighbourhoods and we believe the new performance space will become a musical hub for young people of all backgrounds.”

Commenting on the development’s newest cultural tenant, Dato’ Teow Leong Seng, President and CEO of EcoWorld International said: “EcoWorld Ballymore is delighted to welcome World Heart Beat to Embassy Gardens. We hope that this meaningful partnership will allow more children to thrive through creating and playing music.”

With almost a quarter of their £2 million fundraising target already achieved, World Heart Beat are still seeking further investment through major grants, donations, sponsorships and performance events. Discover more about the World Heart Beat Music Academy at www.worldheartbeat.org.