We have been bringing people together through group singing and musical theatre since 2010. 

Through our projects we explore how group singing and musical theatre have the power to change lives. Our ultimate goal is to inspire positive changes in people’s lives, all whilst building communities.

We met in 2008 while studying at London's Central School of Speech and Drama, connecting by singing around the piano in our flatshare. Soon after, we set up Starling Arts to explore the ways group singing and musical theatre can forge new friendships, improve wellbeing and connect people.

Starling Arts became a Community Interest Company in 2021. We now operate as a social enterprise to provide tangible benefits for communities through singing.

Group singing is a great leveller, democratic by nature and accessible to all. It’s also proven to boost moods and improve wellbeing. These qualities combined make singing such a powerful tool.  Musical theatre is widely regarded as one of the most accessible art forms and a great way to explore and tells stories.

Starling Arts is founded on the extraordinary power of creating together. Our own friendship, built on our mutual love of musical theatre and singing with others, is at the root of an ever-growing community.

Want to know more about the Starling Arts philosophy? Watch the TEDx talk we gave in 2015 on Why the World Needs to Sing, or our short documentary Celebrating Singing for Wellbeing.

Have a browse of our site and see what we get up to. We hope to sing with you soon!

Anna & Emily

Anna Shields and Emily Garsin
Co-Founders and Directors of Starling Arts