Helen was brought up in Bournemouth (with very keen amateur musical parents), and before reading Music at Oxford, obtained her ARCM and played a double piano concerto with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. She also played the cello (including with the British Schools’ Symphony Orchestra in the Albert Hall) and started singing lessons. At Oxford she sang in the best vocal quartet in the University, often soloist in concerts, and subsequently became a member of the BBC West of England Singers.
She held the post of Director of Music at Witney Grammar School and later was Director of Music at Millfield Junior School (her husband Geoff was Director at the Senior School). She conducted Britten’s Noye’s Fludde’ at both schools and also Strode Opera performances in Somerset. After retiring to Gatehouse of Fleet she conducted the Gatehouse Singers and she and Geoff were instrumental in starting the Solway Sinfonia.