Helen Pierce

After graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, Helen studied at Trinity College of Music for a Master’s degree, which she passed with distinction. She was awarded the Wilfred Hambleton Prize for Clarinet and went on to study in Germany and Italy with Hans Deinzer.

Whilst in Germany, Helen worked with the country’s leading contemporary music ensemble, ‘Ensemble Modern’, touring with them in Cologne, Brussels and Frankfurt. She also performed with Darmstadt Staatstheater Opera Orchestra and with Frankfurt Schauspiel.

In the UK, Helen plays principal clarinet with St Paul’s Sinfonia. She has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, English Sinfonia, Manning Camerata, Covent Garden Sinfonia and Britten Pears Orchestra, amongst others.

An active chamber musician, Helen performs with the quartet Clariphonics who were semi-finalists in the Royal Overseas League Competition and were selected as Park Lane Group Young Artists, including a performance in the Purcell Room. She is also a member of the Tailleferre Ensemble, whose debut album, There Are Things to Be Said, was recently released by Ulysses Arts.

Helen’s session work includes Miguel D’Oliveira’s score for The Prosecutors (BBC Four) and Walton’s Façade for Suzy Klein’s Our Classical Century. (BBC Four).

As a bass clarinettist, Helen is a regular visitor to Cornwall for the St Endellion Summer Music Festival.

Helen teaches clarinet at Haberdashers’ boys and girls Schools, and at The London Oratory School. In her spare time she enjoys woodworking. Her most ambitious project to date was an intensive week spent under the expert tutelage of Guy Cowley, crafting a Chalumeau-the predecessor to the Clarinet.