From Generosity to Opportunity: A Franco-British Musical Journey
Revered composer Sir Karl Jenkins, CBE, directing Sally — just in front of him — and LMF musicians in his iconic Palladio, during the LMF’s 15th anniversary concert.
In April 2026, thanks to the generosity of a donor who supported our inaugural gala held in October 2025, a remarkable opportunity became a reality for a young musician, Sally. This initiative epitomises the cross-border collaboration between Démos and the London Music Fund, while offering a unique insight into London’s music ecosystem.
A Transformative Experience
Sally Diagne, aged 20, lives in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. She is a talented young violinist whose journey reflects both determination and the power of access to opportunity. Coming from a family with no classical musical background, she first discovered the violin through the Démos programme (Musical and Orchestral Education Project for Social Outreach), an innovative initiative led by the Philharmonie de Paris. The programme provides children from underserved communities with access to collective music education, fostering both artistic and personal development. Initially offered to her older sister, the music lessons soon ravished Sally as well.
Thanks to Démos, Sally received her first instrument and early musical training, sparking a deep and lasting interest in music. After three years in the programme, she was encouraged to continue her studies at a conservatoire and now trains at the Conservatoire of Paris’s 9th arrondissement. She has since performed several times within the Démos Orchestra programme, including as part of the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad. Alongside her musical path, she is currently in the third year of a physics degree at Paris Sorbonne University.
Selected for a week-long immersion programme in London with the London Music Fund (LMF), Sally’s experience is a powerful illustration of what can be achieved when philanthropy meets cross-border encounters and shared passions.
This partnership highlights the importance of long-term engagement in uncovering and supporting emerging talent.
A Week at the Heart of London’s Musical Life
From 22 to 28 April, Sally took part in an intensive and inspiring programme designed to immerse her in the UK’s rich musical ecosystem.
Her programme included a private visit to the House of Lords, where she met Veronica Wadley CBE, Baroness Fleet, founder of the London Music Fund. She also attended a performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Southbank Centre.
Sally explored several of London’s leading cultural institutions, including the Royal College of Music, where she met the Head of the Student Union, toured the Museum of Instruments, and attended a live concert. At St Paul’s Cathedral, she was given a tour by the Artistic Director of Choral Partnerships and experienced Evensong.
A particular highlight was her visit to the Yehudi Menuhin School during its Founder’s Day celebrations with the former Chair of the School. There, she met members of the school’s leadership team and enjoyed a chamber music concert performed by the school’s young musicians.
The London Music Fund’s 15th Anniversary Concert
After spending time with the team to gain first-hand insight into its work and impact, Sally’s programme culminated in the London Music Fund’s 15th anniversary concert at the prestigious Smith Square Hall, to a full house. This pièce de résistance gave Sally a unique opportunity to experience both the artistic and organisational sides of a major musical event.
In the lead-up to the performance, Sally gained valuable behind-the-scenes insight into concert production, supporting the team with practical preparations ranging from coordinating schedules and organising sheet music to observing the final stages of event management.
The programme culminated in the London Music Fund’s 15th anniversary concert at Smith Square Hall, giving Sally a unique opportunity to experience both the artistic and organisational sides of a major musical event. It also gave Sally the opportunity to share perspectives with peers based in the UK, as well as young professional musicians amongst LMF Ambassadors. In her own words :
“Being involved behind the scenes showed me everything that goes into making such a concert happen. It also helped me find my voice in a different way—not as a performer, but as someone who can effectively contribute to a team”.
The celebrations concluded with the concert itself, where Sally moved from backstage to centre stage, performing alongside fellow young musicians, with Sir Karl Jenkins CBE conducting his iconic Palladio. Sally’s enthusiasm is infectious:
“It was my first time performing outside France! Being conducted by the very composer of the piece we were playing, it truly felt special and I really enjoyed it”.
By experiencing both the logistical and artistic dimensions of the event, Sally gained a deeper appreciation of the many roles that contribute to an ambitious, successful performance. She also demonstrated precious transferable skills and discovered new ways in which she can make an impact within the cultural sector.
A radiant Sally with part of the LMF’s team at Smith Square Hall.A 300-strong audience filled the elegant Smith Square Hall for the occasion.
Beyond Borders: A Shared Commitment
This initiative embodies a strong Franco-British collaboration, bringing together organisations that share deep a belief in the transformative power of music. By connecting programmes like Démos in France with partners such as the London Music Fund in the UK, we are creating meaningful pathways for young people to discover new cultures, grow, learn and thrive internationally.
Voices from the Experience
“We are profoundly grateful to the donor who made this immersion possible. For team members across the three organisations involved in the project, as for Sally, experiencing it first-hand brings to life well-established, long-demonstrated truths: that investing in arts education is transformative across many dimensions — personal growth, prosocial behaviours, sense of belonging, empowerment; and that international experience develops transferable skills such as openness, adaptability, and the willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone and challenge easy assumptions in order to keep breaking down barriers.”
“We were thrilled to be able to offer this immersion opportunity to Sally, working with Fondation de France and Demos to create an experience which enriched the learning environment for everyone involved and reinforced music as a global language. This was an exciting opportunity for all organisations to work together across cultural and geographical boundaries, furthering our missions to widen access to exceptional music education and building confidence and professional experience that might otherwise be difficult to obtain. Hosting Sally for an immersion week encouraged cultural exchange through music, reflecting our values of artistic co-operation to create opportunities for talented young people to learn, collaborate and develop.”
“ After sixteen years of the Démos programme, a number of young participants have developed such a strong commitment to music that they are now considering careers in the cultural sector. We are delighted that the London Music Fund welcomed one of these young musicians. Beyond questions of professional development, she represents one of the programme’s success stories in overcoming social barriers through European collaboration. These young people are also advocates for the arts and humanities as powerful tools for supporting the personal development of future generations and helping shape engaged, confident citizens of tomorrow.”
Looking Ahead
The experience also prompted Sally to reflect on how she might one day pass on her passion for classical music to future generations. Having already taught violin lessons, she is keenly aware that access to high-quality musical education is not equally available to everyone. She highlights:
“I used to give violin lessons to children who were already studying at a conservatoire and whose families could afford additional private tuition. It made me realise how valuable it would be to offer the same opportunities to young people who don’t necessarily have the same advantages or access to extra support. If I could one day contribute to a programme like Démos or the London Music Fund, and give something back in the way others have supported me, I would love to do that. This week has also been incredibly inspiring. It has given me so many ideas, shown me new possibilities and approaches that could make a real difference.”
For Fondation de France UK, this project marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. It demonstrates the tangible impact of donor generosity and the value of international partnerships in creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
As a facilitator of philanthropy, Fondation de France UK works to connect generous donors with high-impact initiatives across a wide range of areas of public interest, from culture and education to health, social inclusion and the environment. This exchange between Démos and the London Music Fund is a powerful example of how philanthropy can help break down barriers, foster international collaboration and unlock potential. The London Music Fund, Démos and Fondation de France UK, united around common strong beliefs and commitments, are eager to build on this shared success and keep exploring new ways of partnering in the future.
