Helen Harrison, Music Director
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We are proud that Helen Harrison started her professional orchestral conducting journey with us at BSO in 2011.
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A warm, natural and communicative presence on the podium Helen Harrison inspires
exciting and compelling performances from the artists she collaborates with across
orchestras, opera companies and choirs.
Helen is the Music Director for the Young Sinfonia, the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Youth
Orchestra. Helen recently made debuts with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducting ‘Friday
Night is Music Night’ for BBC Radio 3, Southbank Sinfonia and Northern Silents Sinfonia.
Guest conducting includes the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,
Sinfonia Viva, Hull Urban Opera Group, Northern Opera Group, Opera Vox and Outreach
Opera. Next season includes returns to Sinfonia Viva, a Side by Side concert with Opera
North and Leeds Conservatoire and the National Children’s Orchestra.
Recognised as one of the leading conductors in the country for her work with young people
Helen relishes training the next generation of musicians conducting the National Children’s
Orchestra of Great Britain, Trinity Laban Summer School Orchestra, Leeds Conservatoire
and previously the Lancashire Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Born, raised and living in Lancashire Helen is passionate about bringing the transformative
power of music to her own community and is proud to be the Music Director for the award
winning Blackpool Symphony Orchestra and Preston Opera.
Educated at a comprehensive school in Blackburn, Helen read Music at Cambridge
University and studied Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music. She was a
2022/2023 participant on the flagship programme for Women Conductors run by the Royal
Philharmonic Society and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. She has taken part in international
Masterclasses run by the Royal Opera House, the Royal Philharmonic Society, the National
Opera Studio and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Helen is the Vice Chair for Orchestras Live who work across England connecting
communities with world class orchestras and their life changing power.
https://www.helenharrisonconductor.co.uk
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August 2024
