World Heart Beat celebrates everything piano with new festival showcasing world-class pianists, masterclasses, performance opportunities, piano parties as well as free lessons for young people (12 -15 March).

The Piano in the Elms Festival, a four-day celebration of the piano and the first ever of its kind, will host exceptional performances from world-class pianist and composer Julian Joseph, GKO, and Armenian-British classical pianist, Kristina Arakelyan and Alberto L Ferro at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms, London from Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 March.

The festival, curated by World Heart Beat, promises to be a joyous date in the calendar that brings the piano to the heart of its community, showcasing phenomenal artists and providing performance opportunities for local talent of all ages and backgrounds, as well as free lessons for young people. Intimate café piano concerts, inspiring masterclasses and vibrant performances will help foster a deep sense of pride and connection across Nine Elms and beyond.

World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, an exceptional, state-of-the-art digital music education and concert venue in Nine Elms opened in January 2023. Complete with awesome acoustics with its world-leading d&b SoundScape system, it provides the ideal setting and opportunity to welcome talented and aspiring pianists to perform, and for audiences to enjoy.

The festival, set in the heart of Nine Elms, draws inspiration from the elm tree—a timeless symbol of community and connection. Just as the elm embodies resilience, unity, and mystery, the series brings people together through the captivating power of piano music, transcending genres and celebrating harmony.

World Heart Beat is a chosen Steinway & Sons charity; both organisations share the same vision of using the power of music for transformation, unity, and growth. World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens has four Steinway pianos with a 9ft Steinway Model D taking pride of place in the venue’s stunning auditorium. Pianos are located throughout the venue, as well as in the café, the location for Piano in the Elms’ ‘Café Concerts’ which are open to members of the public to perform throughout the festival.

Sahana Gero, World Heart Beat Founder and Artistic Director said:

“To honour our Nine Elms legacy – the elm tree being a symbol of community and connection – and to celebrate the art of playing the piano, we are delighted to launch our first ever ‘Piano in the Elms Festival’ at our trailblazing music venue in the heart of Nine Elms. With engaging masterclasses and stunning concerts from the creative worlds of jazz and classical music, we’ll also be hosting our first live performances from the intimacy of our café. The festival will premiere a special suite composed by music maestro, Julian Joseph with Nine Elms as its theme. We welcome people of all ages, experience and backgrounds to perform, co-create and to just simply come along and enjoy the music and atmosphere of Piano in the Elms!”

Piano in the Elms Festival includes:

Alberto L. Ferro – Piano Introspections (Wednesday 12 March, 7:30pm, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens)

Jazz Pianist and Composer, Alberto will perform music from his newly released album Introspections (2025), a collection of sophisticated and emotional compositions combined with improvisations inspired by renowned jazz and classical composers.

Kristina Arakelyan (Thursday 13 March, 7:30pm, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens)

Classical Pianist. Album launch of Dreamland, Kristina’s solo debut album for Apple Music’s Platoon label. The Armenian-British musician seeks to communicate profound feelings with compositions hallmarked by their striking beauty and compelling emotional honesty.

Julian Joseph (Friday 14 March, 7:30pm, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens)

A brilliant pianist and composer Julian Joseph is an internationally influential and revered figure in the music scene. Through his pioneering contributions to jazz with his celebrated trio and big band, his operas and many orchestral compositions, the respect and admiration he has garnered is global. Over his groundbreaking career, Julian has transcended category and become a cultural ambassador, captivating as a broadcaster and champion for jazz and advocate for music education. Julian Joseph will premiere a brand-new composition, commissioned by the festival with Nine Elms as its theme.

Colour Studios: GKO (Saturday 15 March, 7:30pm, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens)

Concert pianist and Steinway artist GKO has been pioneering the possibilities of the piano and returns to London with a vibrant new program inspired by the colours of the rainbow from his upcoming album Color Studies. This performance will take you on a kaleidoscopic journey, blending timeless pieces from cinema classics and beloved animated films with impressionistic, unreleased original compositions. Prepare to be enchanted as GKO weaves together a tapestry of familiar melodies and fresh improvisations, inviting you into an unexplored and evocative world.

GKO Masterclass (Saturday 15 March, 2:00pm, World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens)

A free, public masterclass for children and young people with concert pianist and Steinway artist, GKO. The repertoire will range from Chopin to improvisation.

Café Concerts (Thursday 13 March 6pm and Friday 14 March, 6pm & Saturday 15 March 1.00pm, 2.30pm 4:00pm and 6:00pm)

This is an opportunity for burgeoning and emerging pianists to participate.

Children and Young People Concerts (Saturday 15 March, 3.00pm, 4:00pm and 5:00pm)