By Ibrahim S. Bangura
FREETOWN – In a heartwarming initiative bridging continents, Wells Cathedral School from the United Kingdom has provided free music lessons to more than 100 aspiring musicians at the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Freetown.
The program, which ran from October 20 to 23, 2025, offered instruction in guitar, drums, voice, flute, and other instruments. It forms part of a longstanding partnership between Wells Cathedral School—a specialist music institution in Somerset, England—and Ballanta Academy, dating back sixteen years.
The collaboration began when Wells teacher Roland Ladley, facilitated by the late Komrabai PC Peter Penfold, brought two young musicians from Wells to Sierra Leone to explore partnership opportunities. Since then, the relationship has flourished, with regular exchanges and support.
This year, a team of 20 from Wells, including teachers and nine specialist pupils, conducted intensive four-day workshops at Ballanta. Another group taught English, Mathematics, and Languages at the J.T. Reffell Memorial School, while afternoon performances were staged at selected schools across Freetown.
Voices from the Program
Music teacher Alison Nash, who has been closely involved in the initiative, explained the motivation: “Our school in the UK has had a connection with Ballanta for many years. We are a specialist music school, so the musicians here teaching today are really good on their instruments.”
Beyond teaching, Wells Cathedral School raises funds in the UK to support Ballanta, helping to acquire equipment, maintain instruments, offer scholarships, and even contribute to the academy’s auditorium. Nash noted:
“We bring replacement strings, among others, to keep the instruments here going.”
Participants expressed enthusiasm for the free lessons, many of whom might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. Nash emphasized the broader impact:
“It gives them a skill, gets them involved with music, and then from there they might be able to get work.”
She also highlighted music’s universal power:
“Music helps with communication, it helps with working with others… it just brings everyone together—it doesn’t matter what your language is.”
Founded in 1995 to train Sierra Leoneans in classical music, Ballanta Academy has since expanded to contemporary music, performing arts, and community outreach. The Wells partnership complements this evolution, enriching the academy’s mission and strengthening cultural ties between Sierra Leone and the UK.
Lamrana Bah, who attended the vocal lessons, spoke on behalf of participants:
“We are all grateful for the wonderful music lessons we have had from the Ballanta and Wells Team. We will ensure that we make potential use of this opportunity.”
For Nash, the experience was personally rewarding:
“It’s been wonderful. I was here last year, so it’s been really nice to see people again, to see the same people come back.”
The initiative not only nurtures individual talent but also reinforces the enduring cultural bond between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom, proving once again that music is a universal language capable of uniting communities across borders.