Helen began playing the cornet at the age of ten encouraged by her father who played cornet in with Poynton Band. She also joined Poynton Band 12 months later and over the following ten years worked her way up the cornet section to assistant principal.

She joined The Marple Band in 1986 as Principal Cornet, performing with the band in many concert and contest successes, culminating in Helen becoming the first and (so far) only female principal cornet to win the 1996 British Open Brass Band Championship title in its 149 year history. She was also awarded the Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy as the day's best soloist. Helen lead Marple to first prize at the French Open Championship in 1997 and, making a unique double, was again awarded the "best soloist" prize.

In December 1999 Helen was appointed as Flugel Horn Soloist with the famous Fodens Richardson Brass Band with whom she travels throughout the UK and into Europe for both concert and contest performances. In May 2002 Fodens became All England Masters Champions, in November 2003 became US Open Champions, and in 2004 Fodens won the British Open Championship. Their most recent success was winning the inaugural English National Championships in July 2006.

Helen appears as a soloist on CDs and has been featured on numerous occasions on Radio 2's Friday evening "Listen to the Band" programme. She performs as guest soloist on both cornet and flugel horn with Brass Bands around the country and was Principal Cornet with "Girls of Brass".

In 2004 Helen was horn tutor at the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland Summer Camp and has been Flugel Horn Specialist Tutor at the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain since Easter 2004.

Helen works as a brass teacher in Schools in Stockport and Oldham, and lives in Delph, Saddleworth with her partner and fellow musician, Glyn Williams.

Minstrel Boy from Peter Graham's Gaelforce (144kb)

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