Helen Harrison
Conductor
About Helen
A warm, natural and communicative presence on the podium British conductor Helen Harrison inspires exciting and compelling performances from the artists she collaborates with from orchestras, opera companies and choirs. State educated, Helen is passionate about everyone experiencing the transformative power of classical music in all its forms.
Upcoming engagements for 2024:
Southbank Sinfonia debut
Assistant Conductor - Longborough Festival Opera 'La Boheme'
National Children's Orchestra return
Highlights:
Participant 2022/23 - Royal Philharmonic Society’s Flagship Women Conductor Programme in partnership with the Royal Northern Sinfonia
Music Director Posts
Young Sinfonia, the Royal Northern Sinfonia's Youth Orchestra
Blackpool Symphony Orchestra
ORCHESTRAS
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Side by Side with Young Sinfonia July 2023,
The Snowman - Live to film - December 2022,
Premiere 'In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon', Book Frann Preston-Gannon, composer Iain Farrington, Dec 2022,
In Harmony North East Side by Side 10th Birthday Celebration Concert, May 2022.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Relaxed Performance Oct 2022
Paddington's First Concert, Oct 2023, July 2023, December 2021) Pioneers Project LIVE, Derby Theatre, February 2022, Pioneers Project Recording, February 2021.
National Children's Orchestra U12s Summer Residential and Concert, August 2023
Leeds Conservatoire Broad range of projects including side by side with Orchestra of Opera North
Trinity Laban Conservatoire Summer School Project Orchestra 2023
OPERA
Northern Opera Group; Sherlock Holmes New Opera April 2022, Amahl Dec 2021, Musical Confusion August 2019.
Outreach Opera, La Boheme North West Tour Summer 2021.
Productions 'Eugene Onegin' Tchaikovsky June 2023, 'Carmen' Bizet, 'Macbeth' Verdi, 'West Side Story' Bernstein, 'Norma' Bellini, 'The Merry Widow' Lehar, 'Don Giovanni' Mozart.
MASTERCLASSES AND TRAINING
Royal Opera House Women Conductors’ International Masterclass July 2021.
Royal Philharmonic Society Pilot with the Royal Northern Sinfonia June 2021.
Royal Opera House – various courses including Lockdown/SkillUp.
Royal Opera House, Royal Philharmonic Society & National Opera Studio Inaugural Women Conducting Opera Sep 2018.
Various International Masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music
Coached and mentored by Jessica Cottis.
Read Music at Cambridge University.
Studied Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music.
ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP
Board Member - Vice Chair & Chair of Finance Committee - Orchestras Live.
ENGAGING COMMUNICATOR
Empathetic presenter and compere of concerts,
Skilled speaker, host and panellist for live and online events.
