Helen Peller

Helen Peller enjoys a varied freelance career working as an orchestral and chamber musician, soloist and teacher. She has played with most symphony, opera and chamber orchestras in Britain and welcomes the opportunity to explore more intimate chamber works in smaller ensembles.

Helen’s musical studies began in Bakewell and, whilst at school, she studied the bassoon with Charles Cracknell and Edward Warren. She was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain from 1980-83. Her studies continued at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the tutelage of Martin Gatt, Meyrick Alexander and John Orford. During this period she was principal bassoon in the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, won the Dr Dileas Short Prize in the Royal Overseas League music competition, won the 1986 Orchestral Wind Instrument Prize at the Guidhall School of Music and Drama in London and was a member of the European Community Youth Orchestra. Scholarships enabled her to remain at the Guildhall for a year of postgraduate study.

Helen moved to Manchester in 1987 having been appointed Assistant Principal Bassoon with the Hallé Orchestra. She remained a member of the orchestra for 12 years and, during that time, travelled extensively worldwide, enjoying performing very varied symphonic repertoire.

Manchester has continued to be Helen’s base for work within a variety of ensembles and educational establishments.