A music academy in Wandsworth is building strong links with local schools whilst its performers are set to appear at the borough's fringe festival.

World Heart Beat is a music charity teaching kids skills through music education to lift their aspirations getting a chance to learn traditional classical music as well as genres such as Asian, Celtic, Eastern European, Gypsy, Jazz and Reggae.

Sahana Gero MBE, World Heart Beat Founder said: “Learning a musical instrument gives a child an immense sense of personal achievement, self-expression, community and connectivity. 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."

The Kimber Road academy will be performing a Jazz showcase concert on Monday, May 7 from 8pm-9pm in the Big Top Circus tent in Shillington Park, Battersea as part of the Wandsworth Fringe Festival.

On Saturday, May 12, there will be trial sessions and performances in flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, violin, trumpet, trombone, French Horn and Tabla at their academy.

The organisation has worked with local schools, organising visits from Kamal Sabri, a top Indian Sarongi player, to Earlsfield Primary School, Riverdale Primary School and Swaffield Primary School where he worked with students from nursery to Year Six.

Sahana said the success of the academy is highlighted by two pupils having the opportunity to play with Wynton Marsalis, a world revered jazz icon.

Bassist Ezekiel and drummer Wilf performed with nine-time Grammy award-winning Marsalis alongside Julian Joseph, a figurehead of jazz music at a private event.

After the event, Ezekiel, 22, said: “All this was possible because you have given me such great support and guidance” and Wilf, 18, said: "Thank you for the opportunity, it was life changing!”

The academy heavily relies on grants and donations for funding with 78 per cent of students are on low cost tuition and 49 percent are on full or part time bursaries. The main sources of funding are grant making trusts and foundations, private individuals, corporate donors, proceeds from World Heart Beat public performances and from Arts Council England.

Discover more about the World Heart Beat Music Academy and how you can help nurture the future of music education visit: www.worldheartbeat.org