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"When I practise, I am a philosopher,
When I teach, I am a scientist,
When I demonstrate, I am an artist."
B.K.S. Iyengar....
Helen Neilson is a freelance cellist and double bass player and cello tutor based in London, leading
a multi-faceted career which has continued over time to defy being put into any conventional "binary" instrumentalist
boxes! She combines an active performing career on both cello and double bass with regular cello teaching commitments in
some of London's most prestigious schools and a busy home teaching practice in South London, working regularly on a one
to one basis and in small group settings with children mostly aged 4 - 18. She is interested in working with students from
a variety of environments and backgrounds at all stages on their cellistic journeys. Helen is a fully qualified Suzuki cello
teacher and holds a PGDip in Advanced Performance from the Royal College
of Music and an MMus in Performance Studies from Trinity College in cello playing. Her own cello studies included time working
with Anna Shuttleworth, Melissa Phelps and Naomi Butterworth. She completed her Level 5 (top level) Suzuki teacher training
in September 2021, after over 11 years of study and training in the field. She has worked with mentors including Carey Beth-Hockett
(USA), Eulalia Subira (ES), Ruben Riviera (FR) and Pamela Devenport (USA), having started her studies in Spain in Sept 2019
and then continuing online during the Covid-19 pandemic, including a book 9-10 training course in the USA with Laura Shaw.
Her approach to teaching is holistic and systematic and she is known for having an astute perception of the needs of each
individual student she works with. She draws upon a broad knowledge of the repertoire from beginner to advanced levels and
of different approaches towards instrumental teaching, combined with deep awareness and knowledge of the physical elements
of cello playing as she takes them forward on their cellistic journeys with sensitivity and understanding. Helen regularly freelances with professional orchestras, both on cello and double bass, although mostly
as a double bass player these days, and is regular principal double bass for south east London based chamber orchestra, St
Paul's Sinfonia, who are now embarking upon their 20th Anniversary season, having played with them since the outset. She
has played for opera companies including Opera Della Luna and Pegasus Opera, and has played in orchestral and ensemble performances
around London, across the UK and abroad in countries including France, China and India with professional orchestras and chamber
ensembles on double bass. She enjoys playing chamber music on the cello, and has given many
chamber and solo recitals around London and beyond, over many years. She plays on a cello made in Salisbury in 1784 named
"Phoenix", whom she considers her partner and soulmate in the journey of life!
She enjoys exploring the use of body and mind in
music performance, and shares the findings of her research in lesson and workshop settings and through conferences and articles, having published in magazines including "The
Strad" and the ESTA Journal "ARCO". She has a special interest in neurodiversity and has significant experience
of working with children with a range of educational and behavioural needs, including children on the autism spectrum and
with ADHD, both of which are subjects she has researched extensively. Her work draws upon a knowledge of disciplines including
yoga, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais among others to assist in teaching body movement for instrumental playing. Her
experience of working on a close one to one basis, and in small groups with many students across a range of ages over many
years has allowed her to study human behaviour and development at close range. She is particularly adept at spotting behavioural
patterns, and is known in her work for being sensitive and responsive to the needs of each individual student and working
with patience over the longer term path, both with children, and with their parents and carers, to help each individual fulfil
their potential, using positive and holistic approaches. She has provided long term stability in the teaching relationship
to many children over the longer term, including through the challenges of the Covid -19 pandemic, and enjoys the close
work with the wider family which comes with the instrumental teaching relationship, which can often span across ten years
or more of a child's life.
Helen has a strong interest in optimising set ups of string instruments of all sizes and levels
in order to allow students the greatest levels of freedom in playing at every stage of their development. She has
worked closely with many luthiers and string specialists over the years in order to develop her knowledge of the best
instruments available for students at every stage of their development at a range of budget levels, from the earliest
steps of their musical journeys through to fine instruments, and enjoys being involved in the processes of getting instruments
working to their optimum potential, and of finding the best possible match of instrument for each player as they develop.
She enjoys frequenting the workshops and dealerships, dealing with an ongoing chain of instrument repairs as well as working
on set ups and regularly advising on string instrument purchases. Helen is happy to advise string players and their families
on businesses whom she considers safe and ethical for approaching with regards to purchase of string instruments and bows,
and to guide on the best luthiers for any particular job. She also possesses a diverse collection of bows of many sizes,
from the tiniest Twinkle bows upwards! She has a strong interest in reading about the history of string instruments
and bows and their makers, with a particular interest in English instruments and the Hill tradition. She has a developing
library which she is always happy to share with interested colleagues!
A strong interest is the impact of environment
upon development. She specialises in leading large cello groups in workshop and group teaching settings,
and is interested in how these can inspire and motivate students as part of their wider path of learning. Helen has led
large group workshop sessions at events including London Cello Society "Cello Days" over ten years and more; open
lessons and workshop sessions for students, their parents and teacher trainees at courses including CelloFest and LSG International
Summer School over many years, and she has coached orchestral sections on courses including South London Youth Orchestra
and for the Duet Group Philharmonic concerts at the Royal Festival Hall.
Teaching activities include:
Helen is the
Director of "Our Cello Community" Suzuki cello and musicianship group programme, which runs
at West Hill Primary School in Wandsworth Town SW18 six Saturday mornings a term. A belief behind the work
is that children learn best directly from other children. Skills developed include communication and ensemble skills, and
the social elements of musical development which are achieved through playing together in a consistent and stable environment.
This programme is open to any cello students studying with the Suzuki Method, with the agreement of their teacher, or other
cello students working in any method at grade 6+ levels for advanced groups and ensembles. "Our Cello Community"
individual weekly lessons are based in SW4 in the Clapham area, and the supporting Suzuki cello group and musicianship
programme is based at West Hill Primary in Wandsworth Town area SW18, running six Saturday mornings a term. Students
attend weekly individual lessons mid-week after school, and attend the supporting cello community group programme.
Applications are invited from new families to join our community. Priority will usually be given to new beginners age
4- 7 when lesson slots become available. Advanced grade 6+ students will be considered on individual application. Full information and information on how to join is available on the programme website.
We are happy to welcome new families to join us from Autumn 2024 and beyond!
Our Cello Community website:
Helen is Head
of Strings at Latymer Upper School where she has a large cello class of preps and senior students,
boys and girls age 7 - 18, working from beginner to Diploma levels. Helen has developed and oversees the thriving chamber
music programme; coaches several chamber music groups; organises and co-ordinates major events for string players and
also maintains the extensive and diverse string instrument fleet. Her cello students have frequently been awarded music
awards and music scholarships at yr 7 and sixth form entry levels, have been awarded winning places in school and external
music competitions and have regularly achieved some outstanding examination results. Many students enjoy participating in
the wide range of school groups and orchestras available. A particular highlight of her week are the prep cello groups!
She is often to be found with tools in hand as she fixes up the various broken instruments which regularly come her way! Latymer
Upper School won multiple awards at the Times Educational Supplement (TES) Awards February 2018 for best
Independent-State Partnership Work; Best Senior School and Best Independent School in the UK.
Her regular weekly schools include
Latymer Upper School (inc. Head of Strings); St Paul's Girls' School and the Aldgate School (formerly the Sir
John Cass Foundation Primary School). She has designed and
led large scale cello workshop events for the London Cello Society, motivating generatons of young cellists over many years.
Prior to establishing her own Suzuki group programme, "Our Cello Community", Helen previously developed successful
cello group programmes over several years on other Suzuki group programmes across London. Courses and workshops taught on include South London Youth Orchestra, Dulwich
Youth Orchestra, Duet Group Philharmonic courses, LSG International Summer School, CelloFest, Pro Corda Cello Course and LCS
Cello Days. She is on the advisory council to the London Cello Society, having previously been the director of Cello Club, their Junior Division. She is particularly interested in creating environments
and designing events which inspire and motivate students. Helen has experience of both teaching on
and designing and managing events for young string players. She is also interested in professional development for
teachers and is a consultant and mentor to the team of cello teachers on the London Music Masters Programme, bringing
quality music tuition to children in inner city London primary schools. She has lectured at Cambridge University on
"The Practical Application of the Singing Voice in Instrumental Teaching". Helen was a principal syllabus
consultant, together with Naomi Yandell, setting the cello syllabus for Trinity cello exams for 2020 - 2023, which is now
being used ongoing from 2024 and beyond. You can watch her video discussing the Trinity cello syllabus here:
Trinity Strings Syllabus 2020-2023 video
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| Helen enjoys playing regularly with orchestras on double bass |
Orchestral activities include:
Helen regularly freelances with
various orchestras as a double bass player, and enjoys engaging with various orchestral communities
from the very roots of the orchestra! She loves exploring the large scale symphonic repertoire and being at the very
foundation of the smaller chamber orchestra works and frequently plays as guest principal for various professional freelance
and community orchestras. Helen is regular principal bass with St Paul's Sinfonia based at St Alfege Church in Greenwich.
They continued to deliver many live stream concerts during the Covid-19 pandemic, which are available to view on their website.
She enjoys exploring the chamber music repertoire on the bass and has had fun playing at various festivals
and on tours around the UK and abroad. A highlight was playing bass with the massed cello orchestra in the final night concert
of the Casals Festival 2018 in the Abbaye Saint Michel de Cuxa in Prades, France, where Casals gave early performances of
the Bach Cello Suites. She enjoys the range of characters she meets along the way and the perspective it gives her into
a wide range of interesting environments.
St Paul's Sinfonia website
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For orchestral work diary enquiries, please
contact Helen directly by email. See social media channels for more regular updates on events.
Highlights of 2024 to include:
Friday 20th
September, 7.30pm St Alfege Church Greenwich: St Paul's Sinfonia: Brahms: Tragic Overture; Barber: Violin Concerto
(with soloist Christian Halstead); Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5 Sunday 22nd September, 7pm, Belsize Square Synagogue, The Wallace Ensemble (cello):
Mahler: Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen; Brahms: Symphony no. 2 Sunday 29th
September, 5pm St John's Smith Square: Orchestra of Regent's Opera (Principal double bass): Wagner: Prelude
to Act III Lohengrin; Walton: Cello Concerto (with soloist Alison Holford); Richard Strauss: Eine AlpenSinfonie Friday 18th October,
7.30pm, St Margaret's Church, Lee Terrace, Blackheath: St Paul's Sinfonia: Puccini: Tosca (Full Opera presented
in Concert Performance) Featuring singers: Justine Viani - Floria Tosca; James Schouten - Mario Cavaradossi; Thom Isherwood
- Baron Scarpa November
- orchestral performance repertoire to include: Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 (200th Anniversary performance); Elgar:
Serenade for Strings; Faure: Requiem; Beethoven: Piano Concerto no.3; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme. Please
enquire directly for details of venues/dates etc.
Spring Season 2024 highlights:
Sunday 14th January, 6pm, St
John’s Church, Hyde Park Crescent (double bass with orchestra): Epiphany Carols - a service filled with music,
to celebrate the end of Robert Greenhill’s time as Director of Music here after many years! Church service - open to
all, with champagne reception afterwards.
Friday 19th January, 7.30pm, St Alfege Church, Greenwich: St
Paul’s Sinfonia (bass). “Italian Strings” Programme to include: Corelli: Concerto Grosso; Resphigi:
Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite. No. 3; Bottesini: Concerto for Double Bass; Nino Rota: Concerto per Archi; Scelsi: Natural
Renovatur. With Alex Ferkey (double bass). Tickets £20/£15.
Sunday 21st January, 6.00pm, St John's Church, Hyde Park (bass):
Bob Chilcott's "A Little Jazz Mass" for piano, double bass and choir, with the wonderful choir of St John's
Church .
Sunday 28th January, 3.00pm, Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music: London Suzuki Group
“Groups Festival” (cello). Cellists of “Our Cello Community” will perform: Romberg: Sonata
in E Minor (cello quartet arrangement by Rodney Farrar) and Suzuki: Etude (with accompaniments “Rumination” and
“Cogitation” by Carey Beth-Hockett).
Sunday 4th February 10.30am - 3.30pm, West Hill Primary
School, Wandsworth Town, SW18 5ST: Cello Orchestra and Vamoosh Play Day with Thomas Gregory. “Our Cello Community”
invites student cellists of all levels, beginner to grade 8+, up to age 18, to join us for a fun day of Cello Orchestra pieces
by Thomas Gregory, and Vamoosh classics, led by Helen Neilson. Tickets £42/£21. Full details and booking link
on Eventbrite: https://vamoosh-cello-playday.eventbrite.com
Thursday 8th February 7.00pm, Latymer Upper
School. We look forward to welcoming Raphael Wallfisch to give a cello recital for our school community! Programme
to include Schumann, Bridge, Nin and Elgar.
Tuesday 27th February, 4.15pm - 8.30pm, Latymer Upper School.
We look forward to welcoming Nic Pendlebury, Head of Strings at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and
his faculty team including Sally Pendlebury and Jan Schmolk to give an evening of masterclasses for our advanced chamber music
students, followed by a 7.00pm concert featuring items by our students groups and the Trinity Laban faculty members.
Thursday 21st March, 6.30pm, Cadogan Hall. A special gala concert for the Latymer Foundation’s 400th
Anniversary. Featuring groups and faculty from Latymer Upper School.
Sunday 24th March, 12.00pm and 5.00pm,
Royal College of Music. London Suzuki Group “Stellar Strings” concert, featuring Suzuki string students,
working across all levels.
Tuesday 9th - Friday 12th April, James Allen’s Girls’ School. (Cello
tutor) South London Youth Orchestra. A course for young string players to build and develop orchestral skills. Four
orchestras, open to students from entry level approx grade 2, to grade 8/Diploma level. Plus Cello Choir.
Friday
19th April, 7.30pm, St Alfege Church, Greenwich. St Paul’s Sinfonia (bass). “Bohemian Borders”/Framing
Fauré and Sibelius. Programme to include: Smetena: Bartered Bride Overture; Sibelius: Humoresques; Fauré: Violin
Concerto Movement; Dvorak: Symphony no. 7. With Fenella Humphreys (violin). Tickets £20/£15.
Sunday
21st April, 10.00 - 6.00pm, Royal Academy of Music. London Cello Society “Cello Day” (cello). A vibrant
and fun filled day of joyful cello community action including group and solo performance opportunities and workshop sessions.
Senior Event (Grades 5-8+) Faculty to include: William Bruce, Joseph Crouch, Ben Davies, Penny Driver, Alexandra Mackenzie,
Robert Max, Helen Neilson; Artiste Masterclass: Joely Koos. Junior Event (grades 1-4) Faculty to include: Dan James, Ollie
Mansfield, Helen Neilson, Josh Salter. Beginner class: Lara Moore. Cello Club Members prices: Senior event £52/ Junior
event £46/Beginners £30/Observers £12.50; Non-members prices: Senior event £58/Junior event £50/Beginners
£35/Observers £15.
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