Bio
Pianist | Percussionist | Vocalist
Helen Curtis is a pianist, singer and percussionist based in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Classically trained on piano and percussion at Leeds Conservatoire, she has diversified into other non-classical genres, including improvisation.
Working as a performer, piano teacher and choir leader/workshop leader, she plays piano and sings Coro with the energetic Cuban band Charanga Del Norte. Helen writes original music in her sibling duo Calluna Sun and sings in Swiss yodel duo Sätteli, she is also a specialist of Georgian song and Brazilian percussion.
Helen had an Anglo-Swiss upbringing, and it is at home with her family that her musical journey began. Singing and music was part of family life, and before long Helen was desperate to start playing the piano. Helen soon found she had a natural inclination to exciting rhythms and harmony. After finishing university, she began to seek out drumming groups, whilst also exploring the world of Cuban piano, improvisation, accapella harmony singing, and playing the music of Astor Piazzola in a tango trio.
Helen has studied in Brazil, Cuba, Georgia and Switzerland as well as in the UK, and has directed Brazilian Blocos, including with Global Grooves. She has directed choirs in Leeds and in Hebden Bridge with Zarebi Georgian choir.
Helen has taught privately since 2002, and enjoys a thriving piano practice - teaching all ages and levels of playing.
Piano
Helen is a classically trained pianist who has diversified into other styles of playing. These include improvisation, Cuban piano, and writing original music. Still an active player of classical music Helen also plays in the energetic Cuban band Charanga Del Norte and in original song project Calluna Sun.
Helen performs with some of the UK's leading musicians, she has played at The Clothworkers Hall in Leeds with cellist Annemie Osbourne, at Musicport with Calluna Sun, and in UK venues including London Art Lounge and The Brudenell Social Club with Charanga Del Norte. Helen has also performed solo in venues such as The Vale, Wakefield Cathedral and Square Chapel in Halifax.
Percussion
Helen has played and worked with some of the UK's leading percussionists and musicians. She set up and lead Orixa Bloco and has worked with Global grooves. She taught Brazilian drumming at Huddersfield University for 2 years, and was the composer and musical director of Creating Carnival 2017 'The Tempest'.
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.