Louisa strachan - founder & director

Louisa is the founder of The Song School, a singer/songwriter, an actor and a qualified vocal coach, with a higher diploma in Contemporary singing from The Voice College. Louisa set up The Song School in 2018, to create a space in Southend for budding young Musicians to come together outside of School to create, play and perform music and meet other musically minded young people - something she didn’t have access to locally when she was growing up in the area.

Louisa coaches singing in Contemporary Music Styles such as Pop, RnB, Soul, Indie and Musical Theatre. Under Louisa's guidance, students have gained the confidence to perform, been given the opportunity to write, record and release their own songs; some have gained places at institutions such as The BRIT School, BIMM, ICMPi, Italia Conti, Tring Park, Mountview Academy (to name a few) and a handful have gone on to a career in music.

Louisa began singing at the tender age of nine, when a teacher discovered she could hold a tune. Her own vocal training started pretty much from then on and she has been lucky enough to have been coached by some of the best in the business. Her path of music discovery started in Musical Theatre and landed on a more contemporary sound that led her to pen her own songs, join a gospel choir and subsequently set-up The Tempo Collective - a Southend based choir, focussing on dance floor anthems, paired with Gospel inspired harmonies.

Outside of The Song School, Louisa continues her work as a vocal artist. She has worked as a lead singer and backing vocalist, fronting originals and cover bands; her own debut album was released in 2008 which were followed by some high profile support slots, gigs and shows in mainland Europe, with several high profile support slots with artists such as Bastille, Bang Bang Romeo and Andy Bell (Erasure). The Times described her as having ‘…..gorgeous gymnastic vocals’.

Right now you’ll mainly find Louisa closer to home as she takes The Song School into its next phase. She can also be found performing a night of acoustic Fleetwood Mac with local legend Darren Jones and singing with The Tempo Collective.

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.