Musician and entrepreneur Abi Gilchrist, Blackheath High School alumna and founder & director of Soul Choirs, has been named the GDST Alumna of the Year 2025. 

Following in the footsteps of broadcaster and health writer Dr Ellie Cannon (Newcastle), Academy Award-winning costume designer, Jenny Beavan OBE (Putney), and BBC News’ Felicity Baker (Wimbledon), the Alumna of the Year award recognises Abi’s outstanding contribution to music, community and the arts.  

Abi, who attended Blackheath High School from 1988 to 1995 before studying classical singing at the Guildhall School of Music, has built a thriving business dedicated to the joy and wellbeing benefits of group singing. 

Her choirs have raised a staggering £60,000 for charities including Mind, Papyrus and YoungMinds, and were recognised with a Kent Mental Wellbeing Award in 2024. This year, they supported the ‘Baton of Hope’ campaign, raising awareness of suicide prevention. 

“I am thrilled with this recognition of my career in music and, in particular, the success of Soul Choirs. It means a huge amount to me and to musicians everywhere that the GDST, a globally renowned expert in education, recognises the value of music and the arts”, said Abi. 

“Running Soul Choirs has shown me the incredible impact group singing has on mental health. The benefits are well researched, and I’m pleased that choir singing now forms part of the NHS social prescribing agenda. I’ve seen people’s lives transformed by the sense of belonging that a choir brings.” 

GDST Chief Executive, Cheryl Giovannoni, says: “I always look forward to the annual Alumna of the Year award and the opportunity it affords to recognise some of the incredible women who make up our 100,000 strong, global alumnae network. Our alumnae are united by their education and are testament to our mission of helping girls learn without limits so that they can lead lives without limits. Abi is a wonderful example of this, demonstrating how passion and drive can bring a community together and change people’s lives. She is a real inspiration to us all.” 

Founded in 2010, Soul Choirs has become one of the largest community choir networks in the South East, combining high-quality musical experiences with a focus on social connection and the transformative power of singing on mental health and wellbeing. Fifteen years later, what began with just four people singing in Greenwich, has grown into a network of 18 choirs across London and the South East, with more than 700 members enjoying performances, events, social activities and even holidays together. 

A passionate advocate for women and girls in music and entrepreneurship, Abi credits her time at Blackheath High School for laying the foundations of her career. “Blackheath High shaped who I am and what I’ve achieved, largely thanks to the incredible music department. I was lucky to study under two inspirational teachers, Brian and Katherine Tewson, who gave me belief in myself and opened doors I hadn’t imagined. They encouraged me to be the musician I truly was - not just to pass exams or win competitions, but follow my own path. And being in an all-girls environment is truly special - there were no limitations placed on me, I was free to dream big.”