From Educational Leadership and Management Student to running an Organisation: Adam Denman's Southern Music Project CIC Journey

Briefly describe your business

A not-for-profit organisation which provides music education and support to all ages for the Waterlooville and Havant communities

What inspired you to start your business, and what problem does it solve?

My inspiration for starting the business came from recognising a significant gap in access to high-quality music education within the local community, particularly due to limited provision and opportunities within schools. Initial market research confirmed a clear demand for accessible, high-quality music tuition and learning opportunities.

Drawing on my experience as a professional musician and qualified educator, I have developed a new approach to music education in the area, designed to make learning more accessible and inclusive.

By offering a range of services and price points, the business aims to support individuals and families from different backgrounds and financial circumstances. Alongside this, partnerships with local community music groups help celebrate the area's musical culture, strengthen community connections and create further opportunities for people to engage with music, develop their skills and reach their potential.

Tell us about your journey so far, we would love to hear of any key successes or challenges you have overcome

The Southern Music Project has grown significantly year on year, establishing a strong presence across the local community. We now deliver music education in several schools across Waterlooville and Havant, alongside operating three out-of-school music centres in Waterlooville.

Through these programmes, we currently support over 160 individuals with weekly music tuition, ensemble rehearsals and opportunities to develop their musical skills. Beyond our regular provision, we deliver weekly and termly rehearsals, workshops and collaborative music-making opportunities for both children and adults, helping to create a vibrant and inclusive local music community.

One of our most significant achievements to date was hosting the first-ever Waterlooville Schools' Music Festival in May 2026. This brought together 100 primary school children and 50 secondary school students for a large-scale collaborative performance, celebrating local musical talent and creating an exciting opportunity for young people to perform together.

Through ticket sales, sponsorship and grant funding, we were able not only to deliver this event but also to generate additional funding to support continuing professional development (CPD) for local school music coordinators.

This has allowed the impact of the project to extend beyond the festival itself, investing in the skills and confidence of local educators and helping to strengthen music education provision across the area.

As the project continues to grow, one of our ongoing challenges is balancing increasing demand with the resources, funding and infrastructure needed to ensure that high-quality music education remains accessible and sustainable for the whole community.

How has the Student StartUp team/University supported you?

The Student StartUp team has played a significant role in helping me turn my initial business idea into a sustainable and developing organisation. Their support has provided me with the confidence, initial seed funding and governance guidance needed to establish the foundations of the business.

Access to a professional mentor has been particularly valuable, helping me to develop appropriate business structures, strengthen my decision-making and navigate the challenges of setting up and growing an organisation. This support has enabled me to move from an initial concept to delivering a growing music education programme within the local community.

What skills have you developed through running the business?

Running The Southern Music Project has enabled me to develop a broad range of business and leadership skills, including strategic leadership, financial management, project management and operational planning.

I have also developed my skills in partnership working, recruitment, communication and stakeholder management, alongside learning how to balance the creative and educational aims of the organisation with the practical demands of running a sustainable business. Perhaps most importantly, I have developed greater confidence in making strategic decisions, managing growth and identifying opportunities for future development.

What's next for your business?

Our immediate priority is to recruit additional music educators to meet the growing demand for tuition and ensure that we can continue to provide high-quality, accessible music education to more individuals across the community.

We are also developing plans for two Waterlooville Schools' Music Festivals in 2027, with the ambition of bringing together four secondary schools and ten junior/primary schools. Building on the success of our inaugural festival, we hope to create even greater opportunities for collaborative music-making, performance and partnership between local schools.

What's your top tip for other student entrepreneurs?

My biggest piece of advice would be to prioritise carefully and avoid over promising. It is easy to become caught up in the excitement of new opportunities, but sustainable growth comes from understanding your capacity, setting realistic expectations and delivering consistently on the commitments you make. It is also important to recognise and work within your own professional boundaries. Understand where your strengths lie, seek advice when needed and don't be afraid to bring in others with the expertise to support your ambitions.