Singer-Songwriter // Vocalist

I tentatively approached Sarah regarding musical musings I’ve had, and within 3 months of sessions with her, I’ve marked my album launch date! She has provided an unflinching firmness that it would be a good idea if my songs found their way to fruition. She has clever exercises to aid the writing process, which have put more detail and imagery in my work. But most of all for me, because she is a self-observing creator, she easily turns on its head paralysing self-criticism, with a bluntness suffused with kindness which led me to feel in very safe hands and as though I can do it - so I am!
www.pollygibbons.com

Singer-Songwriter // Vocalist

Sarah is an unbelievable lyricist and creative. She made me realise that my dreams didn’t have to stay dreams - I could make them a reality! When I first approached Sarah I was certainly no lyricist or songwriter. I didn’t really understand storytelling or how to begin writing lyrics altogether. Within our first few sessions she was able to uncover all these layers of my artistry that I had found so difficult to express in the past. She showed me several brilliant songwriting exercises which have enabled me to understand how we can communicate our feelings and thoughts in less generic ways. Not only has she helped me with songwriting, she showed me the value and importance of career strategy. Her advice and guidance has completely transformed my career and really brought my visions to life. She has taught and inspired me to become a businesswoman in this industry! It is an absolute privilege to work with Sarah - she’s the coolest and I feel very lucky to be her mentee! 

www.ariasoul.co.uk

Singer-Songwriter // Vocal coach 

When I contacted Sarah I already had a few songs written but I had no clue what to do with them. I was also experiencing a bit of writers block. I needed guidance. She encouraged me to dig much deeper in my writing, to experiment, to not be afraid of making mistakes and say what I had hidden inside. In this short amount of time, my writing has evolved into something I couldn’t even imagine. Even my voice as a singer has changed in the process. The effect these sessions have had on me is mind-blowing. I’m a vocal coach, but I never thought I could do anything with my own music. Sarah’s words of encouragement helped me believe in myself as a songwriter and our plans for the future are nothing short of amazing. 

These past four months have been life changing. We are nearing the end of the songwriting mentorship and I truly believe working with Sarah is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

Singer-Songwriter

I have been up to great things these past two days with Sarah gillespie here in my own home and garden; a space I have spent years creating , making a garden, a studio and home with spaces to breathe , dance , craft cook and be me, and Sarah has helped me own it. Sarah mentors others like me, nervous beginners or others already producing, to write their own songs and music , whether trained or not to get that voice out. Through poetry, literature (she’s first class honours in this) and life story - all the good and bad - you get your own words out with your own voice - you! Thank you Sarah. What magic we weave in two days. You are a creative sorceress and I honour you!

Songwriting Professor // Artist // Mentor

Sarah has helped me to engage more fully with aspects of my songwriting, to dig deeper into the text and the emotion behind it and find the confidence to follow my instincts when developing ideas. She’s also empowered me with the business elements of my career, helping me identify my unique skillset both as artist and practitioner and evolve what I offer as a teacher and mentor. I feel much more equipped and empowered in my work to generate income doing what I love most as an artist. I now have a much stronger sense of conviction, purpose and self belief.
www.finibearman.com

Singer-Songwriter

Out of the Blue. That sums up how I met Sarah and the impact she had on me. After releasing my first album in 2022 at 66, I felt accomplished but creatively stuck. For a year, I struggled to write anything inspiring, falling into a deep creative depression and doubting my abilities. Well along came Sarah, who I happened upon while listening to a podcast and thought - THAT woman has what I want! Working with Sarah has unleashed a creative side that I never imagined I’d be capable of. She held me to the fire with encouragement and a sailor’s sass and I loved every minute of it. I am currently finishing up 3 new songs that will be released in late 2024. And those are only the first group I took to the studio. In the short time I worked with Sarah I must have written a dozen songs! I was back and finally….out of the Blue. Sarah I ADORE you. And THANK YOU.

Singer-Songwriter

I came to Sarah having never been able to finish writing a song. In the first few sessions Sarah asked me to complete some songwriting exercises which completely changed the ways in which I wrote my lyrics. I was so surprised about how it enabled me to delve into the true craft of writing how I felt without explicitly saying exactly how I felt. My lyrics and songwriting have transformed because of this. In our sessions, Sarah is always extremely supportive and inspirational. The atmosphere is always so friendly which allows me to feel 100% comfortable and confident whenever I come up with new ideas.

Singer-Songwriter

Working with Sarah Gillespie and the Create Now Academy has been one of the best decisions of my life. Having been a musician and singer/songwriter for most of my life I’d taken quite a number of years off to raise a family and couldn’t find a path back into active creativity. One meeting with Sarah changed all that and after a mentoring programme with her I now have an album out, gigs under my belt, more to come and am finding ways to slowly grow my fan base. What’s not to love?! Thank you Sarah!! www.susythomas.com

Singer-Songwriter

My sessions with Sarah have been pure joy. Her valuable insight constantly challenges my approach, my perspective - and my attitude. It’s 360; incisive, honest, supportive, kind & pragmatic. With Sarah’s unique guidance I’m asking more questions, deep diving - and growing as an artist.  I honestly  cannot recommend working with Sarah more highly. In short - a total gift.
www.natashaseale.com

Singer-Songwriter // Vocalist

Sarah is a 360º artist, an inspiration of dedication, passion, freedom, knowledge, empathy. She is a master of language and working with her it was so deep - finally my emotions became words within my new songs. She empowered me and believed in me from day 1 of our journey, she pushed me to be myself and proud of it with all my imperfections, and helped me bloom as an artist. It is rare to find a mentor like her and I am so grateful I did.
www.martacapponi.com

Singer-Songwriter // Vocalist

Sarah is a powerhouse of knowledge and creativity. She has helped me to tap into underappreciated resources within myself and find new ways of exploring self-expression through several artforms, as well as supporting me along each step of my creative journey (no matter how wobbly it may have been!). Her insight, empathy and enthusiasm throughout my mentorship have enabled me to develop a body of work I'm truly proud of.

www.nellgreco.com

Singer-Songwriter

This was the most empowering music course I have ever taken. I’ve had years of classical music training, taken conservatory courses for jazz performance, attended songwriter camps and music industry forums, and Sarah's program is what I would recommend to any woman who knows her musical expression needs to be set free. Sarah will light a fire under you. Sarah was unrelenting in her demands for me to create NOW, and at the same time completely understanding of all the life and humanness that gets in the way. This was the power of this program. The work helped me identify and smash the things stopping me from creating and sharing my music, alongside other brilliantly talented women who run into so many of the same challenges. And 1-2-1 sessions with Sarah dived deep into my writing, my songcraft and the next steps I need to take to get my music out into the world. If you know there is music in you that needs to get out, give it the best chance of coming to life and invest in this program.
www.katetrajan.com

Singer-Songwriter

We have been working with Sarah for the past year for our daughter Jess (18) on the Songwriting mentorship programme and so much more.  Sarah has been brilliant - so straightforward, amazingly talented, a great mentor and so encouraging of budding songwriting talent. Knowing nothing of the industry - we have felt in excellent hands, our daughter loves her and it’s now like working with a professional friend! Could not recommend her highly enough.
www.jessicabmusic.com

Musician // Writer

Sarah gave me the jump start I needed. She helped me with mindset, confidence and accountability to start writing again and provided literary and philosophical inspiration with reading, exercises and discussion. She made me feel my voice was valid and helped me hone the best of my creativity. She is non-judgemental, decisive, with an acute ear for powerful language, for dramatic tension and has a great sense of humour and incredible empathy. Her years of songwriting, performing all over the world, painting, and writing poetry brilliantly inform her teaching. I'm currently working on a collection of poems and she is already pointing me towards ways of publishing.
www.emmagawlinski.com

Theatre Director // Actor // Singer-Songwriter

Sarah brings everything to the table - she is razor sharp at grabbing hold of what you are about as an artist, stretching it, mirroring it and holding you fully accountable whilst maintaining a fully supportive, witty and championing spirit. I went from a chaos of half-finished poems, songs, a chunk of a novel and no particular direction - to writing a full album and planning how to execute it from start to finish of the 12 weeks. Sarah’s mentoring programme will force you to take yourself seriously as a creative practitioner with no option to hide in the shadows. It was everything I needed and more.
www.dannielucarrmusic.com

Composer // Pianist

My journey with Sarah began less than a year ago with a very serendipitous introduction that paved the way for an incredible journey that I hope never ends. She is a powerhouse of wisdom, experience, wit, grace, talent, insight, and endless creativity. In less than a year, she has not only inspired me, but enabled me to make my dream come true of releasing not just one album, but two on Pastiche Records. She has paved new roads and made connections for me that have changed me as an artist and a person. She sees through the doubt and fear and has a way of holding one accountable to their potential with encouragement and kindness topped with some serious badassery.
www.wendikirby.com