Helen Sanderson becomes the first female guitarist to head a British Conservatoire department when she joins the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama’s team as Head of Guitar Performance this autumn.
“After working with Helen at the College for the past few years, we’re delighted to welcome her now as our Head of Guitar Performance,” said Kevin Price, Director of Music.
“Helen has an exciting and unique vision which encompasses outreach, recruitment and student employability while also insisting on the highest standards on the recital platform. “
As well as having a prestigious performing career, Helen is a composer, arranger and sought after masterclass artist, adjudicator and international jury member for competitions such as BBC Young Musician of the Year. She is also an entrepreneurial educator, committed to nurturing young guitarists throughout the UK.
“The vibrancy of the Royal Welsh College hits you as you walk through the door – it’s just so alive with creativity and artistry and I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” said Helen.
“Leading the Guitar Department offers an incredible opportunity for me to explore new directions and help shape the careers of the new generation, enabling them to respond innovatively to life as a musician.”
In 2006 Helen founded the music education charity, Guitar Circus, which creates events such as the internationally renowned World Youth Guitar Festival.
Since 2015, Guitar Circus has also been responsible for the National Youth Guitar Ensemble (NYGE), which under Helen’s leadership has expanded to offer four regional monthly ensemble schemes in London, Cardiff, Birmingham and Glasgow, and a new Fellowship ensemble for 18-25 year olds, in addition to its two residential courses.
Her performing career reflects her passion for chamber music in partnerships with eminent counter-tenor James Bowman, tenor Mark Wilde, and as a founder member of the VIDA Guitar Quartet.
Performances have included recitals at the Southbank Centre, Kings Place, St Georges-Bristol, and the Sage Gateshead and in 2010 Helen made her US debuts in Los Angeles and New York, subsequently touring extensively in USA and Europe.
As a composer and arranger, Helen’s work features regularly in the ABRSM and Trinity College syllabi and her work in guitar education was recognised in June 2018 with the award of a Churchill Fellowship, following her research in the USA of whole-class guitar programmes; with the support of Guitar Circus, Helen is currently developing a similar programme to be launched in the UK.
She has been Director of the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Youth Competition and Winchester Guitar Festival and recently appeared as the classical industry expert for the Sky Arts series, ‘Guitar Star’.
Born in Worcester, Helen Sanderson studied guitar at the Royal College of Music with Charles Ramirez, and accompaniment with John Blakely, graduating with prizes including the Anthony Saltmarsh Prize and the Madeline Walton Prize for Guitar.
Helen plays Christopher Dean guitars and is a D’Addario Strings Classical artist.
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook