The Rhythm Studio Foundation Says Thank You to Its Supporters
Youth music charity marks fifteen years
Young performers and local dignitaries at the event
March 23, 2026
The Rhythm Studio Foundation, a youth music charity based in West Kensington marked its fifteenth anniversary earlier this month with a celebration that brought together civic leaders, funders and long-standing supporters. The event was held at The Rhythm Studio’s professional-grade music facilities and was designed as a ‘thank you’ to the individuals and organisations that have championed the charity since its inception.
Guests included local MP Andy Slaughter, the Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Councillor Sharon Holder, and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, who joined representatives from the Ed Sheeran Foundation, the Worshipful Company of Glovers, the Golden Bottle Trust, the Royal Albert Hall, the Triborough Music Hub, the Music House for Children and several other partners from across the community. They were welcomed with a tour of the studio’s industry-standard rehearsal and recording spaces before being treated to a series of performances by young musicians whose development has been shaped by the Foundation’s work. Sixth-former Skye Bishop, a band led by scholarship holder Nicole Ferreira, and former student Anu Badmus, now one of the Foundation’s Young Trustees, all took to the stage and demonstrated the confidence, creativity and talent that the charity has helped to nurture.
The Rhythm Studio Foundation was established in 2011 by Chris Hodges, who had become increasingly concerned that many young people in the area, particularly those living in the most deprived wards of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, were unable to access music lessons. He explained that although the Foundation has made significant progress in addressing this inequality, the wider situation has become more challenging, despite the excellent work of organisations such as the Tri-borough Music Hub and the Music House for Children. He described the anniversary event as a special opportunity to gather the charity’s most loyal supporters and thank them for the vital role they have played in enabling so many young people to experience transformative music activities over the past fifteen years.
Since its launch, the Foundation has enabled more than 3,500 primary school children to learn an instrument, form bands and create their own compositions. It has awarded over £250,000 in music scholarships, removing financial barriers for young people who would otherwise be unable to pursue lessons. It has also delivered music sessions to almost 10,000 young patients and their families at St Mary’s and Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals, bringing comfort, creativity and a sense of normality into clinical environments.
Councillor Sharon Holder praised the charity’s deep roots in the community and its ability to identify and respond to areas of greatest need. She noted that the Foundation has had a significant impact across the Tri-borough area over the past fifteen years and highlighted the importance of its work in ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have access to meaningful musical opportunities.
The evening was described by attendees as joyful and inspiring, reflecting the Foundation’s belief that music can be a powerful force for connection, confidence and opportunity.
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