Academic Work

In January 2007, Helen completed her MMus in Performance Studies degree at Trinity College of Music. This involved two years of study, culminating in the completion of a final recital, a lecture recital, and a dissertation. This paper has since attracted considerable interest, and she has been invited to give lecture presentations about her work at a number of conferences.

The paper is titled "Multiple facets of the centre of the body in the communication process in music performance: perspectives from the worlds of music, dance and Eastern spirituality." She draws upon ideas presented in recent cognition and perception literature, including the work of Jane Davidson and Aaron Williamon; theories from the world of dance including the work of Mabel Todd and Rudolf Laban; and Eastern spiritual practices, such as the Japanese practice of "Hara" and Iyengar Yoga. The examination of some of the inner processes at play in the process of music performance would be of interest to any performing musician.

Conference invitations have included:

The International Society for the Study of Tension in Performance: Conferences on Health and the Performing Arts
- invited by Professor Carola Grindea, who has been at the forefront of the field of the study of body movement in performance for many years

Kingston Cello Festival, Kingston University
- a festival for cellists of a variety of ages and stages

Presentations for parents of current students
- I find that people often enjoy hearing more about the theory behind the work I do with their children, and being given direction in their reading to support their children's learning.

Please email Helen to request the abstract and contents, or a copy of the full paper. She is always keen to discuss ideas with other interested parties.