Helen Barker

BMus(hons), PG Dip (Advanced Orchestral Playing)

Oboe teacher

Helen Barker studied as a scholar at the Royal College of Music with John Anderson, Sarah Francis, Chris Cowie and Mike Winfield.

Helen combines her teaching with a busy and varied freelance performing career. As a soloist, Helen has performed concerti and given recitals at venues such as St. John’s, Smith Square and the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Orchestras with whom Helen has played principal oboe include: the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra. She has also worked with the English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Dublin.

Helen is also a founder member of the award-winning wind quintet, The Zephyr Ensemble of London – winners of the Philharmonia/Martin Fund Ensemble Award in 2003. The Ensemble has performed at the Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room and has broadcast live for BBC Radio 3. The group was described in The Times as “a wind quintet with flair and verve”.

Faculties / departments: Junior Department