Louisa strachan - founder & director

Louisa is the founder of The Song School, a community interest company breaking down barriers to music careers for young people in Southend-on-Sea.

Growing up in the area without access to local music opportunities, Louisa set up The Song School in 2018 to create the space she wished she'd had - where ANY young person, regardless of background or circumstances, could come together to create, play, perform and connect with other musicians.

What started as once-a-week sessions has grown into a full timetable with a proven alternative pathway to music careers. Young People progress from participants to Youth Mentors to paid coaching roles - learning by doing, building real skills, and earning a living in music without university debt or industry connections.

Under Louisa's leadership, The Song School has become an approved Alternative Provision provider and secured funding from Youth Music, Postcode Lottery, and others. Students have gained places at institutions including The BRIT School, BIMM and ICMP, while others have built sustainable careers through The Song School's own progression pathway.

Herself a vocalist, published songwriter and qualified vocal coach (Higher Diploma in Contemporary Singing, The Voice College), Louisa specialises in contemporary vocals. She's worked as a lead and backing vocalist across the UK and Europe, with support slots alongside Bastille, Bang Bang Romeo and Andy Bell (Erasure). The Times described her as having "gorgeous gymnastic vocals."

Her debut album was released in 2008, and more recently she co-founded The Tempo Collective, a Southend-based choir focusing on dance floor anthems with gospel-inspired harmonies.

Today, you'll find Louisa leading The Song School into its next phase - developing a replicable model for alternative pathways in music education that prioritises talent and commitment over postcode and bank balance.

andrew reynolds - NON-EXECUTIVE DIrECTOR

Andrew Reynolds is the European Chief Executive and Global Board Director of Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), a global real estate professional advisory consultancy business operating in the built environment.

 Andrew brings an expertise in strategic and operational planning to support The Song School to achieve it’s aims to provide more opportunities for Children and Young people to make music.

 Andrew is a member of the Institute of Directors, a Fellow of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveying (RICS) and in a non-executive director of the RICS’ Standards and Regulation Board. He is a member of the Association for Project Management and is a Member of the Trust at The Grove Wood Academy Primary School.

 Andrew comments “as a lover of the arts, and a failed drummer (!) supporting The Song School brings the opportunity to bring together my absolute passion for supporting the development of others.  Louisa and the team at The Song School undertake fantastic work bringing the opportunity to get involved in music regardless of background and I am honoured to be able to support everybody involved.”

 Andrew is married with five children and in his spare time enjoys the performing arts and is a keen travel photographer.

carla marshall - non-executive director

Carla is a qualified accountant with over 30 years experience. She is the Owner of CJM Accounting Solutions, her own bespoke accounting firm where she provides all accountancy and business services for the small business.

As a newly formed CIC, Carla’s expertise in financial management and accounting ensures we are making robust decisions and reinvesting our funds wisely to future proof our organisation to enable us to provide more music making opportunities for Children & Young People.

Asked why she wanted to get involved at The Song School, Carla says;

“As a huge music fan myself, I was delighted to be asked to get involved as it’s an opportunity to bring together my personal and professional passions. And as someone from a working class background, I would have jumped at the opportunity to get involved if this was around when I was growing up and feel I can offer some useful insights as a result.”

HAYLEY HILL - non-executive director

Hayley Hill is an experienced professional with a broad set of transferable skills within the Creative Arts, Events Industry and Education sector.

Currently, Hayley is the is a label and artist manager for Cool Thing Records; she provides artist consultancy for new music releases; works as a Festival Manager, Production Manager, Site Manager, Stage Manager and Artist Liaison Manager for events & festivals, some of which have included: BBC Introducing Live, Crooked House Festival, Village Green Festival, Leigh Folk Festival, Coppafeel Festival, London Ceremonies 2022 (OLB), Terence Higgins Trust 40th Anniversary, and is the Venue Event Manager for Twenty One, here in Southend. 

In Hayley’s earlier career she was the Manager for Music & Performing Arts at South Essex College and a peripatetic Vocal Teacher. Because of her varied experience across the industry, Hayley brings a truly unique and creative perspective to the board. 

We’re thrilled to have her on board to help advise and build the future of The Song School. 

TRIGGER BLISS - Non-executive director & SPOKEN WORD

TriggerBliss (@triggeryourbliss) is a multi creative who uses spoken word as an avenue to connect to the individual, to inspire healing, conscious thought, and conversation. This is achieved by incorporating spoken word into visuals, imagery, quotes, music, as well as performing live. TriggerBliss harnesses her creativity to spread mental health awareness, love, unity and encourage the authentic self. 

As an artist in her own right, Trigger has performed at events such as Time 2 Shine hosted by CEO of the South Essex African Caribbean Association, Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Festival, and Stand Up for Diversity hosted by Essex Cultural Diversity Project, amongst others. She can be seen this summer, hosting a stage at Leigh Folk Festival. TriggerBliss has participated in the Focal Point Gallery commission ‘Relay’ and played ‘Robin Hood’ in the 2023 pantomime ‘Robin Hood’ by Rachel Dingle. She volunteers, hosts/emcees, has featured on several podcasts and was a guest speaker on ‘Artist Philosophies’ with Ja’Anubis on London Hott Radio

As a mentor, TriggerBliss has worked on countless creative projects including; ATS Creative Academy CIC and Elevator Arts CIC. At The Song School, she works with our Saturday Songwriters, including our mini musos, juniors and those aged 11-15 to find ways to access their voice and identity through their songs.