Helen began learning the bassoon at the age of thirteen and, nearly ten years on, shows no signs of stopping! Although she admits that her choice of instrument was something of a fortuitous accident, this has not diminished her almost evangelical zeal for the beauty of low woodwind.
Helen progressed quickly through various school and Music Centre ensembles, and became principal bassoonist in the Guernsey Youth Orchestra and Concert Windband after three years of study. She soon found herself in demand from other local ensembles, and has played for the Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society, Guernsey Chamber Orchestra and Guernsey Symphony Orchestra to name but some.
Having gained first class honours as an undergraduate student of Music and French at Exeter, Helen is now completing a Master’s by Research in French linguistics. As a Senior Music Scholar she continues to be an enthusiastic member of the Exeter University Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band, and has played recently for local ensembles such as Torbay Symphony Orchestra and the Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra. She has previously been taught by Jean Owen (principal, New London Orchestra) and Robert Codd (retired principal, BBC Welsh National Opera).
During her time at Exeter, Helen has also conducted both the Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra, held various committee positions for musical societies, and has been spotted in almost all of the University’s ensembles playing a variety of instruments. Though she has enjoyed this immensely, she has never strayed far from the beautiful mellow tones of the bassoon. She recently made her Concerto debut playing Mozart's Bassoon Concerto in the Great Hall at Exeter University.
