Harpist
Hellen, had a scholarship at Oxford, where she graduated with a first, the
Gibbs, Quigley and Vaughan Morgan prizes and the Charles Oldham Prize 2000. She
then went to the Royal College of Music to study with Ieuan Jones, her current
teacher. She was awarded a distinction in her postgraduate performance diploma,
thanks to his inspiring lessons. In 2003 she won the North London Festival and
came second in the UFAM International Music Competition in Paris.
Helen plays for all types of weddings and functions in venues like the Ritz; the Savoy; Claridges; the Conaught; the Dorchester; Café Royal; Café de Paris; Kensington Palace; the RAC, Reform and Oxford & Cambridge Clubs; etc. She has played for Royalty and Tony Blair. She offers favourite wedding music, classical, light classical, popular repertoire and Jewish music, tailored to suit the client. Demo CDs and references are readily available on request.
As well as solo harp, Helen offers flute and harp, harp duo and violin and harp. Other combinations of instruments and singers can easily be arranged.
Helen is an experienced orchestral musician, for example with the Northern Sinfonia, English Sinfonia, English Philharmonic, Kentish Opera, Clarion Ensemble, RCM New Perspectives (contemporary music), etc. She also plays in show bands and for sessions. She recently improvised and recorded music for Fendi’s October fashion show in Milan. She also gives cruise ship recitals: so far, on board the QE2 (2002), and the Ocean Majesty (2002, 2003).
| Comments Of Recommendation From Previous Clients | ||||
| “You
gave us an evening of brilliance and beautiful sound – I hope the recording
catches some of the magic” Brian Stokes, Music at Lyddington |
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| “Thanks for doing such
a fine job. We hope you will work with us again” Martin Vishnick, Smart Music (recital cruises, Ocean Majesty) |
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| “Very
good” Andy Dinsdale, Cruise Director, QE2 |
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| “The highlight of the
concert was a beautiful performance on the harp by Helen” Hexham Courant |
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“Lovely to hear and a music lesson for young and old” Carlisle Press |
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| “My wife and I would
just like to send our warmest thanks for the wonderful music that you played
at our wedding and the reception afterwards. Your playing added a final bit
of magic to a special day and we would gladly recommend you to anyone else
who are looking for a harpist.” Roy and Henrietta McKinley |
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| “It
made a world of difference and brought atmosphere to the occasion. It was
just perfect.” Pam and Fred Bottrill |
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|
“We enjoyed your choice of music
very much, it was all beautifully played, and made our party so much more
special.” |
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| “We
have had so many comments to say how much they enjoyed the harpist. Thank
you so much for contributing towards a wonderful wedding day for us.” Alan and Sue Flewitt |
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| “Having you play at
our wedding was the best decision we made” Mark Lavender |
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| “the
music you played during the signing of the register was beautiful and sent a
tingle down my spine. It was always my dream to have a harpist at my
wedding, and thank you for helping this to come true. If you ever require a
recommendation, then please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have already
posted your praises on a couple of internet wedding chat forums”. Keziah Gill |
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| “You’ve had so many
compliments…we should have booked you for longer” Avril Larner |
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| “Your
playing was wonderful. I've never organised a wedding before, but the harp
was definitely the right instrument to have. We had so many compliments and
with family in Essex and Surrey I am sure you may be requested again.” Linda Rooke |
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| “I would just like to
say your playing was wonderful and so many guests commented on how lovely it
was.” Jane Watkins |
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| “We’ll
use you again” Nadia Mitchell (playing for Tony Blair) |
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| “Nice tunes,
girlfriend” Guest at Paul Thomas’s wedding |
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 Click To Enlarge |
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Sound Samples |
| Sample Repertoire | |
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Classical Repertoire Famous classical music – request a favourite tune and Helen will do her best to find a harp arrangement. For example: Clair de Lune Flower Duet Für Elise Largo from the New World Symphony Scheherezade, Love Theme Viennese Waltzes Classical harp repertoire – little known but lovely Albeniz Malagũena J S Bach Italian Concerto Fantasia and Fugue in A Minor Ben-Haim Poème Britten Suite for Harp Caplet Divertissements Damase Theme and Variations Debussy Danse Sacrée et Danse Profane Dittersdorf Concerto Dussek Sonata in C Minor Fauré Impromptu Une Châtelaine en sa Tour Flothuis Pour le Tombeau d’Orphee Glinka Variations on a Theme of Mozart Nocturne Granados Valses Poeticos Godefroid Étude de Concert Grandjany Aria in Classic Style Fantasie sur un Thème de Haydn Handel Thema con Variazioni Handel Concerto Hasslemans La Source Henson Conant New Blues Hindemith Sonata Mathias Santa Fe Suite Improvisations Mayer Sonata Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp Noël-Gallon Moto Perpetuo Parish-Alvars Fantasia on ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ Parry Sonata in D Major Pescetti Sonata in C Minor Pierné Impromptu-Caprice Ravel Introduction et Allegro Saint-Saëns Fantasie Salzedo Variations sur un thème dans la style ancien Samuel Rousseau Variations Pastorales sur un Vieux Noël Spohr Fantasie in C Minor Tailleferre Sonata Tchaikovsky Waltz for Natalia Thomas The Minstrel’s Farewell to his Native Land Watkins Petite Suite Zabel La Source |
Familiar wedding processionals and recessionals J S Bach Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Ave Maria Handel Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Mendelssohn Wedding March (from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) Pachelbel Canon in D Purcell Trumpet Voluntary Vivaldi “Spring” from “The Four Seasons” Wagner Bridal March (“Here Comes the Bride”) Cocktail music, pop and show tunes Bernstein, Cole Porter, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, music from the movies, Disney, Beatles, and your requests! For example: Beauty and the Beast Can You Feel the Love Tonight Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Cavatina (Theme from “The Deerhunter”) Danny Boy Eleanor Rigby Embraceable You Endless Love Fascinatin' Rhythm Theme from “The Godfather” Harlem Nocturne Here, There, Everywhere Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me I Swear I Get A Kick Out of You I’ve Got a Crush on You Jamaican Rumba Lullaby of Broadway Maple Leaf Rag Memory Moon River My Heart Will Go On Phantom of the Opera Pink Panther Princess Leia's Theme Puff the Magic Dragon Over the Rainbow Slippery Tune on a Sticky Bass Spaghetti Rag Stairway to Heaven Summertime Take Five Unchained Melody What a Wonderful World When You Wish Upon A Star Helen Can Also Perform A Selection Of; Celtic, Welsh, Irish and Scottish music Jewish Music Artsa Alinu, Hava Nagila, Hevenu Shalom, Hine Ma Tov, Kozatzke, L’cha Dodi, etc. Opera & Ballet music |
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