Helen Deakin
Dartmouth People, Helen Deakin
Helen Deakin lived in Rugby for 25 years but has recently moved to Dartmouth, back to her native South-West (she is originally from Truro). Helen is a professional musician. She gained a first class degree from the Royal Academy of Music where she studied piano, clarinet and conducting and, as well as being a very experienced teacher, Helen is also an Associated Board examiner. In this role, she has worked extensively throughout the UK and around the world, including Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and the USA.
As an examiner and also as an adjudicator, Helen has been fortunate to meet many interesting people and to gain an insight into many different cultures. Since moving to Dartmouth she has got to know many of the local community through her music. As well as becoming increasingly busy teaching clarinet and piano from home, she has also run many successful workshops at the Flavel. Helen is passionate about chamber music and has been delighted to discover so many players from Dartmouth and the surrounding area who are keen to improve their skills in this genre.
The Flavel Ensemble is a group of enthusiastic musicians who come together to play chamber music under Helen’s direction. The group meets regularly at The Flavel to perform in a “master class” setting and, in-between sessions, the players get together to rehearse in each other’s houses. The size of the individual ensembles ranges from trios to sextets and the scope of the repertoire ranges from Baroque to the 20th century. Helen’s ultimate aim is for members of the ensemble to explore a wide range of music, to improve their performing and rehearsal skills and, above all, to enjoy themselves. The current series of workshops began last September and has been running during the Autumn and Spring terms. As a brand new venture, they have been enthusiastically received and the players celebrated their success with an informal concert followed by a private dinner in Taylors Restaurant at the end of April. It was a marvellous evening and everyone is looking forward to the next one! The next sessions will begin in September and details will appear in the Flavel diary but anyone wishing to take part or anyone who would like further information is warmly invited to contact Helen Deakin on 01803 835882.
First Published August 2009