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Helen Neilson has developed a reputation as a successful teacher of cellists at a variety of ages and levels. She particularly
enjoys working with children in the earliest stages of learning and setting them up with a good basis for relating to the
cello on physical and musical levels. Her research into the use of the body in performance, examining perspectives from dance
and Eastern spirituality as well as recent music cognition and perception literature feeds into her teaching, as well as an
excellent knowledge of string pedagogical literature.
She hopes to pass on the knowledge from her studies with
teachers including Anna Shuttleworth, Naomi Butterworth and Jerome Pernoo. She has observed many of the world's top cellists
and teachers in masterclass situations, including Yo-Yo Ma, Slava Rostropovich, Bernard Greenhouse, Steven Doane, Frans Helmerson,
Anner Bylsma, Karine Georgian, Ralph Kirshbaum and Colin Carr.
She teaches some private students at
home in Battersea. Please contact Helen directly for further details and current availability. She is a holder of public
liability insurance and is fully CRB checked. Helen runs performance classes with several of her students from schools
and also private students, giving them a chance to become familiar with the experience of performing right from the start.
Email:
students@helenelizabethneilson.com
Home lessons: I
teach a number of students at home in Battersea, with lessons lasting for either 45 minutes or 60 minutes, appropriate to
the level of the individual student. Lessons usually take place midweek after school. These students will participate
in regular performance classes, and many take Trinity Guildhall or Associated Board examinations. Contact Helen directly
for information about current availability.
St Pauls Girls' School I have a class
of 11-18 year old students at a range of levels from beginner to Grade 8 + at St Pauls School for Girls. They have individual
lessons with me, and many participate in a range of other musical activities at school and outside. Many choose to take Associated
Board or Trinity Guildhall grade examinations.
www.spgs.org
Latymer Upper School
In September 2008,
Helen took up a position as cello tutor at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith. Her now thriving class there ranges
from year three through to students in the Sixth Form. This year, she will also coach an advanced string quartet and
a prep cello group. This school has a vibrant and active music department with numerous ensemble and performance opportunities
for students.
www.latymer-upper.org
Helen has recently been appointed to the teaching staff at the Royal College of Music Junior Department as a deputy cello
teacher.
From 2001 to 2008, Helen taught at Southwark Centre for Young Musicians which is a vibrant musical training ground for
young instrumentalists in South East London. They participate in instrumental lessons, string ensemble, and a variety of
other lessons including African drumming and gospel choir. The centre encourages all students to become confident in improvisation
and creative musicianship skills right from the start. STAX CYM recently won an award as the best independent music centre
in the UK. Helen's students from here have been awarded places to continue their studies at the Guildhall and Royal College
of Music junior departments.
In summer 2003, Helen spent a period of time teaching at the Mathieson Music School in Kolkata. This is a charitable foundation
for young people from deprived backgrounds, which provides them with accomodation, food, clean water, health provision and
a comprehensive education as well as music tuition in strings, singing, tabla and indian dance. Helen taught individual string
lessons, large string ensembles and general musicianship classes, and wrote some compositions (whilst sitting by the water
pump!) specifically for performance by her students there.
From 2005-2008, Helen taught individual lessons and large year one and year two string groups at Newton Preparatory School.
The methodology used in the group sessions and lessons with the young children was influenced by the thinking of Shinichi
Suzuki. This programme helped to develop young string players with sound musical and technical foundations right from
the start.
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