Bio
Pianist | Percussionist | Vocalist
Helen had an Anglo-Swiss upbringing, and it is with her family that her musical journey began. Singing and music was part of family life, and Helen showed an interest in music early on. She soon found she had a natural inclination to rhythm, groove and close harmony. Helen studied classical piano and percussion at Leeds Conservatoire and it was during her time in Leeds that she first met musicians who would open her world to European folk, traditional music, improvising and Latin styles. Helen has travelled to Cuba, Georgia and Brazil for further study as well as studying with leading UK teachers of jazz, classical and traditional styles. She continues to develop her playing, teaching and performance, and views music as a lens to the world.
Piano
Helen is a versatile pianist whose interest lies in classical, improvisation, Cuban, traditional music genres and songwriting.
Performing alongside some of UK leading musicians, she has played at venues and festivals including The Clothworkers Hall in Leeds, Musicport festival, Brudenell Social Club, Blue Dot festival, CLF Art Lounge in London and The Vale.
Percussion
Helen is best known as a conga player and samba bloco director. She is an associate artist with Global Grooves and composed and directed the music for the project ‘The Tempest’. She has been on the scene and directly involved with UK leading Brazilian music teachers and projects.
Helen founded Orixa Bloco samba group which she led for 5 years, and taught Brazilian drumming to Huddersfield University students for 2 years. Helen is a former member of Maracatu band Juba Do Leaõ.
Vocalist
Helen sings with her original music project Calluna Sun and on Coro in the energetic Cuban band Charanga Del Norte. She specialises in Georgian song and also Swiss yodelling, singing as the duo Sätteli.
Past projects include singing with the jazz acapella quintet Solaris, and with the Georgian folk ensemble Samzeo. Helen has lead choirs in Leeds and in Hebden Bridge including Leeds U3A choir and Zarebi Georgian choir. Helen also sang with the Brazilan folkloric project 'Journey of the Orixa's' with Global Grooves.
Helen has supported the Warsaw Village Band at The Howard Assembly Rooms with Samzeo and has featured on the BBC Radio 3 programme 'Late Night Junction' with Sätteli.