our history

In 2013, The Nucleo Project started in a North Kensington flat, aspiring to support and bring together young people from all corners of this diverse and varied West London community

Back then we were run by just one volunteer teacher, and at our first rehearsal there were only four aspiring musicians in our orchestra!

Fast forward to today and - thanks to a lot of hard work and commitment from our staff and volunteers, the support of families and our wider community, and of course the energy and dedication of our young people - Nucleo is flourishing! We now have 22 teachers working with almost 400 children and young people in our local community.

At the start of 2022 we were able to widen our reach thanks to Sistema England, a national charity that, like us, was dedicated to achieving social change through music. Sistema England was launched in 2010 by the cellist and musical activist Julian Lloyd Webber. Linked to The Nucleo Project by our shared beliefs in the unlimited potential of young people, and the power of community music-making, the two organisations worked closely together for several years. 

After more than a decade of service, Sistema England passed over its activities and national role to Nucleo, including the Young Leaders Programme and the Instrument Donation Bank.

Today we’re as dedicated as ever to achieving social change through music, championing the growth of young people and communities in North Kensington and throughout England.