Helen joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2023. 

Prior to this, she enjoyed a busy and varied freelance career.  In addition to working with many orchestras across the UK, particularly the north of England where she grew up, Helen held a contract position as Principal Oboe with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden for the 2018 – 19 season and worked as an orchestral academist alongside the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra during 2017.

Helen completed her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Royal College of Music in London, with teachers including Fabien Thouand, Jenny Galloway and Melinda Maxwell.  Immediately after graduating she joined the Southbank Sinfonia in London, and subsequently appeared as an on-stage musician in the National Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, which ran from 2016 – 18 and was broadcast to cinemas worldwide.

Since moving to Wellington, Helen has become an avid dolphin spotter and tramper, and hopes to complete all of New Zealand’s Great Walks!

Q+A

What is a favourite musical memory or experience you’ve had?

I was invited to tour with the European Union Youth Orchestra back in 2013 for their Europe Day celebrations at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik.  As well as being an incredible venue to play in and a beautiful place to visit, I will always remember the feeling of unity and collaboration amongst all the musicians who came from so many different countries and cultures to perform there together.