About
Pop Arts
Pop Arts delivers bespoke music mentoring programmes that support young people living in the London borough of Haringey.
Our mission is to ensure all young people, regardless of their financial status or the challenging circumstances that they face, have access to the support and technology they need to make their own music. We believe everyone can make great music, but for those that are less fortunate, there are often barriers in place that restrict their access to the arts and creativity.
What do we do?
We provide creative sessions, where young people can work with a music producer to create their own pieces of music. Participants meet weekly, usually over a programme of seven to ten weeks. Participants have the freedom to express themselves without any restrictions, and can explore their own musical interests, whether that's singing, rapping, songwriting, beat-making....
Where do we deliver?
We work at schools, colleges, and professional recording studios, within the London borough of Haringey.
Why participate?
We want to make a significant difference to young people’s lives. Emphasising mental health and well-being improvement, our one to one or small group sessions pair young people with music mentors who guide them in creating their own music. Since our formation, we've engaged over 100 young people, with a 100% satisfaction rate – participants report feeling happier, more confident, and improved music skills.
Would this be suitable?
This is suitable for anyone aged between 8 – 19 years, who has an interest in music and who is facing challenging circumstances. We have worked with young people with special educational needs (such as autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity condition), as well those with attachment issues – such as young people who have been fostered or adopted. These sessions could also be suitable for young carers as well as those who are bereaved. We would be happy to discuss this further, should you have any questions.
How can I get involved?
It’s as simple as completing our online referral form, available on this website! Alternatively, get in touch and we will guide you through the process.
How much does it cost?
Pop Arts is FREE!
Pop Arts is a registered charity. Since our formation in 2020 our programmes have been supported by a wide range of funders, including Barnardo's, Children In Need, Arts Council England, The National Lottery and many more. ​
Trustees & Mentors
We have a diverse and mixed board of trustees. Our chair, Henry Thomas worked at an indie music publisher before setting up and running Domino’s (representing artists like Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand) in-house neighbouring rights agency Double Six Rights Management (Halsey, Anna Calvi, Courtney Barnett). Over seven years Double Six expanded to offer collection services to over 200 label, performer, and producer clients. Currently, Henry serves as the joint director of Sound Act, a neighbouring rights agency with clients ranging from some of the world's biggest artists and record companies to the most forward-thinking indie labels and performers, including Jack Antonoff, Universal, Robbie Williams, Warp Records, Paolo Nutini, Dirty Hit, ALMA, and Nancy Sinatra.
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Michael Leckie is a London based Lifestyle and Portraiture photographer. His work has appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair, Glamour, and The Sunday Times. His clients include Warner Music, EA Games, DELL, Groupon, The Brit Awards and many more. He has been the inhouse photographer for the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland show, for several seasons. The list of personalities and celebrities Michael has photographed is endless, but to name a few - Sir David Attenborough, Tina Turner, Noel and Liam Gallagher, Dave Grohl, Ed Sheeran, and Stormzy.
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Gemma Corby and Elizabeth Withnall have worked in the education department for a combined total of 29 years, working with young and vulnerable people. Gemma Corby has worked as a teacher for 18 years. She became a SENCO in 2015 and currently works as a SENCO at the Heartlands High School in Wood Green. Gemma has written two books on special educational needs and has written regularly for the Tes (formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement). Elizabeth Withnall has been a music and SEND teacher in London, since 2012.
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Pop Arts sessions are delivered by signed and published music artist Leaone. Leaone has a wealth of experience within the music industry, having worked with a variety of talent including Rick Wakeman, Nitin Sawhney, Tom Marsh (Lana Del Rey), Jim Lowe (Stereophonics) and Mitch Kenny (Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, Daniel Johns). Leaone’s music has received support by BBC radio DJ's, Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Jo Whiley, Arielle Free and Chris Hawkins. Most importantly he has been delivering creative sessions for nine years with young people facing challenging circumstances, including those with autism, the bereaved, young offenders, and those who are being rehabilitated. Leaone has been delivering Pop Arts sessions since Summer 2020 and has engaged and worked with over one-hundred young people facing challenging circumstances in our bespoke music mentoring programmes. He previously worked for I Made This and Noise Solution in East Anglia, who deliver similar types of projects.
What Clients Say
"The College is recognised for attracting students from diverse communities, with over 80% of learners from BAME backgrounds and some 75% come from some of most deprived wards in England. The College of Haringey Enfield and North East London students engaged in one-on-one individual mentoring sessions with their Pop Arts mentor in a professional recording studio. Through this experience, they acquired professional training in industry-standard practices, while also developing their confidence, resilience, communication skills, and time management abilities. Additionally, they took immense pride in participating in the mentoring scheme, as it helped them identify future goals and set SMART targets. They also curated an impressive portfolio of work. They are sincerely grateful for this invaluable opportunity."
Tamara Lesniewska, Curriculum Manager,
The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London
"I would recommend Pop Arts as it was an opportunity for our young people to work creatively in a music setting. This environment harnessed their creative skills and encouraged authentic self expression. Also, the facilitators were flexible and accommodates students' individual needs."
Michelle Burke, Assistant Headteacher, Haringey Learning Partnership
"The rappers (5 star) who attended Pop Arts gained a sense of confidence, pride in their work, competency, motivation, aspiration... The sessions have made them realise they really can rap! As a result they have been rehearsing together like mad and recently performed on stage, with a great audience response! As a result of all this, a member who had left the group is now going to rejoin. As for Chasing Violet and Akua, they have gained some proper recordings of their work, which will be invaluable in preparing for mentoring, scholarships, competition entries etc."
Emma Rivlin, Lead Teacher of Music, LAE Tottenham
"100% RECOMMEND! It has been wonderful for my students to have this one to one opportunity and they will never forget the benefit this has given them. I saw a huge increase in confidence and more positive mental health, as well as an expansion in skills. It would be such a shame if this service was not available to college students as their deprivation levels do not stop once they leave high school and are sometimes exacerbated by the transition to college."
Kirsty Walker, Progress Leader at City of Liverpool College
"Throughout the engagement as a delivery partner in See Hear Respond, Pop Arts:
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met all of the key performance indicators;
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received positive feedback from the children, young people and families engaging with the service
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met all the requirements for the successful management of the contract
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positively represented the values of See Hear Respond and acted as a valued partner
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delivered learning events and shared practice across the network
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adapted models of delivery in line with local and national lockdown and COVID safe requirements
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scaled up their delivery at pace to meet high levels of demand
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extended the See Hear Respond programme's reach into their local community"
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Amanda Naylor, Head of Barnardo's See Hear Respond Partnership
"The team engaged young people who can struggle with communication. The workers' skills and knowledge was excellent and they pitched it at the level of the young people. The sessions are great and very interactive. The kids feedback was very positive."
Jon Broadhurst, TACT Manager
"It has really brought a new level to the love of learning for the pupils involved. They have been keen to share their journey at home which is something they can find extremely difficult. It is fantastic and I wish more pupils could access this service. Children loving taking part in educational experiences is priceless."
Maxine O'Neill, Hope School Deputy Headteacher
“I would recommend Pop Arts because it boosts your confidence and you feel happier about yourself : ] The best thing about pop arts was that we got to have sessions for a long amount of time and its fun. No improving"
CT, a participant, age 10
“I have learnt many useful music technology skills as well as self-confidence, especially in my college course audition!"
AB, a participant, age 16
“Leaone met AB as an individual person with an interest in music and helped build his confidence in making music and this has boosted his confidence as a person. Other agencies have met AB as someone with a problem, or someone with autism - and both of those viewpoints are true, but not the whole picture! Starting from where AB was, finding out his musical interests and talents, has given him the encouragement he needed to get back into school and take his GCSEs and apply for a L3 place at college in Music Performance.
It's also helped AB that Leaone is much younger than some of the other professionals that have worked with him, and obviously has a strong interest in music!”
AB's parent/carer
“I have achieved better timing and learnt basic root notes on the piano. I also got much better at playing the bass guitar. I have also developed my guitar skills, and experimented with different sounds and different ways of playing. I could probably produce a song in Logic. I am feeling better about myself because of my musical progress I've made.”
EB, a participant, age 13
“The music sessions provided a calm and relaxed one-to-one environment for my son to express himself, through his music. I would say in terms of school he has been keener to get back into lessons and engage in the mainstream environment.”
EB's parent/carer
“The best thing about these sessions has been making my own song and uploading it somewhere and getting it out there.”
HB, a participant, age 14
"Honestly it makes me feel like an 11 out of 10, this is probably the best piece I've ever done. Its really bringing me out and showing people who I am and what my possibilities are."
SP, a participant, age 14
"The sessions have made me feel more confident with the things I do at school and at home as well, so it has helped a lot!"
EC, a participant, age 11
"The time Leaone spent with EB was fantastic, they clicked straight away talking about bands and music. It wasn't long before music and sound compositions were being created. We cannot recommend Leaone highly enough. His calm nurturing disposition is just what was needed and put EB at ease. He is very knowledgable, inspiring and patient. EB was encouraged to go in the direction he was interested in with guidance and teaching from Leaone along the way."
EB's Parent/carer