Helen Whitaker is a critically acclaimed flautist who enjoys an exciting and varied freelance career. Currently splitting her time between the UK and Iceland, Helen works as a performer and recording artist. Helen is in demand for session work, and some notable releases include collaborations with artists such as The Leisure Society, Ray Davies, Laura Marling and 5 Billion in Diamonds featuring legendary producer Butch Vig. She has toured extensively across Europe, and is equally at home on the stage playing with bands as she is playing with orchestras and smaller ensembles. Helen has featured on TV and Radio, notably playing live sessions for BBC Radio stations 2,3,4 and 6 and FIP, Paris. Helen is on the extra lists for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonia Nord, and notable recent highlights include performing with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at Dark Music Days in Rekyjavík, and giving a number of intimate performances at the Iceland Opera Days festival.

Helen has a particular interest in contemporary classical music, and she works with leading ensembles such as the Colin Currie Group, Lontano, and the Orchestra of Sound and Light, as well as performing for new music crossover outfits NonClassical and Multistory. Helen co-directs and is principal flautist with ALDAorchestra, which she founded with Icelandic composer/conductor Helgi Rafn Ingvarsson in 2016. The ensemble was awarded funding by Arts Council England and Rannís (Iceland) for their debut series. Helen has premiered many new works and numerous composers have been inspired to write for her, including Helgi Rafn Ingvarsson, Martin Butler, and Laura Harrison. Helen is a founding member of experimental group p.e.r.s.o.n.a.l.c.l.u.t.t.e.r who received funding in 2020 from the Marchus Trust to commission works by Jessie Marino and Helgi R. Ingvarsson. More details of the group can be found here. Helen recently secured funding for a collaboration with Icelandic composer and flautist Berglind Tómasdóttir to be premiered in 2022, and has given premieres by Sara Glojnarić and Jenni Hogan.

Helen studied for her Masters degree in music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London with Anna Noakes, and won a number of prizes and scholarships during her time there. Helen has also done a great deal of outreach and education work with organisations such as Wigmore Hall and Spitalfields in London as well as teaching and coaching students of all ages across the south of England.

Helen is also a qualified psychodynamic counsellor, and has a research interest in working with musicians in her psychotherapy practice. Having worked in a consulting role with Help Musicians UK, Helen continues to promote the need for more psychological support for musicians through their training and beyond. For more information about her therapy work please visit https://southcoastpsychotherapy.com/