The Maria Vraka Foundation
A foundation dedicated to music education and performance
Our Current Projects
An overview of the foundations current active projects
The Winch Choir
The Winch Choir Project is a collaboration with The Winch. The choir features the children that go to The Winch in Swiss Cottage. The project was launched following Lily Petrova’s award of the Jacob Barnes Award, supporting the development of impactful community music work. Led by conductor Kristina Ammattil, the choir provides free, high-quality choral training to young people, offering a supportive space to build confidence, develop musicianship, and experience the joy of collective music-making. Through performance and collaboration, the project empowers young voices and fosters a strong sense of belonging through music.
Rescuing Pianos
Rescuing Pianos is a community-led dedicated to saving unwanted pianos from disposal and giving them new musical life. The project rehomes instruments from churches, schools, and private owners, restoring them where necessary and placing them with young musicians, families, and community spaces who might not otherwise have access to a piano. Alongside the rehoming process, the foundation organises concerts and events that celebrate each instrument’s journey, transforming potential waste into opportunity, access, and shared cultural experience.
Teacher Training
Teacher Training Programme is a professional development designed to support emerging music educators in building confident, thoughtful, and socially responsive teaching practices. The programme offers mentorship, practical training, and hands-on experience within community and educational settings, equipping teachers with both pedagogical tools and real-world leadership skills. By investing in the next generation of music educators, the foundation strengthens the quality, accessibility, and long-term impact of music education across its projects and partner communities.
Free Musicianship Class
Our free musicianship classes were created by co-founder Lily Petrova. The aim of these classes is to give a wider perspective of music education to students rather than only experiencing a one-one setting. The musicianship classes cover different topics including rhythm, composition, improving sight-reading and aural skills training. It was created to inspire but also for children to come and enjoy themselves!
Support Us
How You Can Help
First Music Kits
We are currently raising funds to donate 100 music kits to expectant mums across London.
Each kit contains:
A Reflective Diary for Mums
Two Specially Curated Music Lists for:
Listening before birth – to encourage bonding, relaxation, and emotional connection
Listening after birth – to soothe, settle, and create shared moments with your baby
A Detailed Guidance Booklet
A Soft Scarf
Baby’s First Musical Instrument
Donate a Kit for £10 (add reference. First steps )
Music Mentors.
We are also raising funds to educate 20 music teachers in 2026.
For £100, you can fund a teacher’s full journey through Music Mentors, our accredited early-years music training programme.
This includes:
A 1-day intensive workshop
A 3-month professional mentorship
Evidence-based strategies grounded in brain development and child psychology
Training materials, travel support, and certification
Music Mentors equips newly-graduated teachers with the skills to:
Inspire creativity and confidence
Foster inclusion and belonging
Support healthy brain development in children under 7
Grow into future Lead Ambassadors within regional music hubs
Our ambition is to, double the number of teachers we train each year
Your support doesn’t just train a teacher, it impacts every child they will teach.
Sponsor a Teacher for £100 (or any amount. All donations are greatly appreciated. add reference. Mentors)
Our CIC number: 16723429
Our Bank details
MV4OUNDATION CIC
Sort code: 20-76-90
Account number: 23953181
Maria Vraka Foundation
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