Ahead of the Ronnie Scott Street Festival 2025, south London music charity Kinetika Bloco spoke to South West Londoner about their efforts to get more young people into the arts.
Founded in 2000, they draw influences from the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa, and New Orleans, offering a range of programmes from beginner music classes for children to leadership courses for young adults.
They have performed at events such as Notting Hill Carnival, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and on stage with jazz group Ezra Collective, who themselves attended sessions with Kinetika Bloco.
CEO Tamzyn French said: “Music and the arts generally is getting squashed out of the school education system.
“It’s so much a part of who we are.
“If you get people that really understand art, are passionate about it, and are teaching it, then kids are going to love it.”
The group has worked with more than 10,000 young people across south London, helping develop skills in both their personal and professional lives.
Many of their graduates have returned to the organisation as part of their ‘young-leader’ scheme, helping to pass their passion on to the next generation.
Watch the video below for more on the charity, and see them take part in the street festival.
