About Helen
Hi, I’m Helen — a composer, performer, educator, and senior lecturer in Music Production and the Creative Industries at Teesside University.
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I hold a PhD in Music Composition from the University of York, where I studied under the mentorship of Professor Roger Marsh and Dr. Daniel March, as well as a Master’s degree from Leeds Conservatoire.
During my doctoral studies, I worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant on the Master’s programs in Music Education and Community Music at York.
Alongside my teaching, I co-authored a music education book due for publication with Routledge in Winter 2025. My commitment to education has been recognised through the York Learning and Teaching Award and a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
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My experience as a GTA, combined with years of teaching and my PhD research, has highlighted a real need for music teachers to receive meaningful supervision—both one-to-one and in peer group settings. In a sector where supervision isn’t mandatory, yet where we form close, impactful relationships with students, many teachers can feel isolated or unsupported. If this resonates with you, please see the Tuition section for details on peer support and supervision.
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As someone with synaesthesia, I experience sound and colour as deeply connected. This has had a significant influence on my compositional approach and formed part of my PhD research, particularly in exploring the relationship between visual and musical perception.
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As a passionate music examiner and educator, my compositions feature in the ABRSM, Trinity, LCME, and Rockschool syllabi. I publish with Clifton Edition (formerly Spartan Press) and regularly work on commissioned and funded projects. As a performer, I remain actively engaged in collaborative and solo work, including accompanying a children’s choir connected to the world-renowned Barnsley Youth Choir.
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Beyond my academic and creative work, I’m also a director of the CIC Friends of the Future.
Enhance your teaching skills with individual or small group tuition and supervision, designed specifically for music teachers and community musicians. Grounded in PhD research, a person-centered approach ensures that each session is tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.
Publications
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These studies have been trusted and utilised by major examination boards since their release. Each piece is carefully crafted to meet high educational standards, ensuring students receive the best possible guidance in their musical journey. Explore the collection here
The Forgotten Forest, ABRSM piano Grade 1 list B option - Primo Part
January 2023 - June 2024
A community Folk Opera written in collaboration with Golthorpe Primary School, Gooseacre Primary School, Barugh Green Primary School and Greenacre Special School.
Translating Colour to sound and Vice Versa - A community project