Helen Nicholas
ProfessionalMembership
Helen Nicholas is an exciting and versatile pianist, with a passion for performing French Impressionist music and works by 20th Century American composers. As a recitalist, she has performed at some of the UK’s most prestigious concert venues, including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Opera House, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Bridgewater Hall. Ingpen & Williams Director, David Sigall, described her award-winning performance of Gaspard de la nuit as ‘technically flawless’ and ‘wonderfully descriptive’. Her solo album – The Debut (2014) – features this masterpiece by Ravel and also includes works by Beethoven, Scarlatti, Chopin and Debussy.
Helen was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House from 2012–13, during which time she joined The Royal Ballet music staff on productions including The Nutcracker, Onegin, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and new works including Wayne McGregor's 'Raven Girl' and Liam Scarlett's 'Viscera'. She continues to work as a freelance accompanist and piano coach for the programme. As an orchestral musician, she has worked with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Southbank Sinfonia on both piano and celeste.
Aside from her solo career, Helen is in great demand as a chamber musician and accompanist. In collaboration with her duo partner Holly Cook (flautist), she has been featured in the Making Music brochure as Selected Artists for 2018/19 and the duo have performed extensively across the UK. Helen is an accompanist at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and an audition pianist for the Royal Academy of Music. She also enjoys being the resident accompanist for the Metropolitan Police Choir, who have performed at venues including Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and have appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Originally from Poole in Dorset, she began playing piano at the age of five and by her early teens was a regular performer at music festivals and competitions. She studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree and receiving the Nancy Thomas Prize for the highest achieving undergraduate pianist. She then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, achieving a Masters degree with Distinction and winning the Greta Parkinson Prize for outstanding achievements. During her studies, she had the privilege of studying with the late Yonty Solomon, Hilary Coates and Carole Presland.
Helen was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House from 2012–13, during which time she joined The Royal Ballet music staff on productions including The Nutcracker, Onegin, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and new works including Wayne McGregor's 'Raven Girl' and Liam Scarlett's 'Viscera'. She continues to work as a freelance accompanist and piano coach for the programme. As an orchestral musician, she has worked with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Southbank Sinfonia on both piano and celeste.
Aside from her solo career, Helen is in great demand as a chamber musician and accompanist. In collaboration with her duo partner Holly Cook (flautist), she has been featured in the Making Music brochure as Selected Artists for 2018/19 and the duo have performed extensively across the UK. Helen is an accompanist at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and an audition pianist for the Royal Academy of Music. She also enjoys being the resident accompanist for the Metropolitan Police Choir, who have performed at venues including Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and have appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Originally from Poole in Dorset, she began playing piano at the age of five and by her early teens was a regular performer at music festivals and competitions. She studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree and receiving the Nancy Thomas Prize for the highest achieving undergraduate pianist. She then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, achieving a Masters degree with Distinction and winning the Greta Parkinson Prize for outstanding achievements. During her studies, she had the privilege of studying with the late Yonty Solomon, Hilary Coates and Carole Presland.
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