Helen Sanders-Hewett grew up in Hitchin and began studying the violin with Janet Hicks. She started playing the viola in chamber music groups before she was able to read the alto clef! However, after this initial baptism of fire Helen realised that the viola was the instrument for her and started studying with Martin Outram aged sixteen. She went on to study at the University of Birmingham and Royal Academy of Music, learning viola with Jonathan Barritt and Jim Sleigh, and baroque viola with Jane Rogers. She now enjoys a busy career as a performer and teacher. As a soloist she has performed Berlioz’s Harold In Italy, Bruch’s Romanze, Telemann’s Viola Concerto and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, as well as Bach’s Brandenburg 6 in a pub in Stroud. Helen performs with numerous groups including Opera Holland Park, London Concert Orchestra, Apollo Baroque Consort, Hampden Ensemble and the Berakah Players, who promote peace and unity through music. She was a founder member of the Orchestra of St Paul’s, with whom she recorded string ensemble works by Elgar and Malcolm Arnold. Helen has toured with the Neil Cowley Trio, with whom she played at the Montreux, London, Brecon, Gateshead and North Sea Jazz festivals, as well as Alison Balsom and Jazz Jamaica and has recorded for film and television and artists including Lucy Rose and Oh Wonder. She also conducts amateur orchestras in London and helps run education workshops throughout the country. Future plans include a performance of Malcolm Arnold’s second string quartet at Eton College and concerts with deaf flautist Ruth Montgomery as part of her music and visual arts projects. (May 2018)