Helen Reid first came to public attention when she appeared on BBC2 in the National Keyboard Finals of the BBC Young Musician competition in 1998. In 2000 she won first prize in the Karic International Piano Competition.
Helen has given recitals all around in England, at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Fairfield Halls and Blackheath Halls, London, St. George's, Bristol, Cheltenham, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and the Aldeburgh and Buxton Festivals. In addition, she was invited to Jordan to give a recital in honour of a new EU/Jordanian agreement in the presence of the Prime Minister, and has performed in Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, following success in the Anglo-Czech competition. Concerto performances have included Ravel G major as part of the Hallé Proms, Beethoven 4th and 2nd Concertos, Mozart F major concerto and Grieg Piano Concerto with the Bardi Orchestra.
Helen studied at Chetham's School before going on to Royal Holloway, University of London, graduating in June 2000 with a 1st class honours degree. She then studied in Cologne for a year before returning to take her Master's degree in Music Performance at City University and the Guildhall School in London. Her teachers have included the late Enid Oughtibridge, Alicia Fiderkiewicz, Andrew Zolinsky, Arbo Valdma and Ronan O'Hora. Helen has been privileged to receive support from the Tillett Trust and Making Music Schemes, as well as the Musician's Benevolent Fund.
Helen's solo repertoire is wide-ranging and includes works from the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. She has a particular interest in contemporary music, giving world premieres of works by David Matthews, Anthony Powers, Rhian Samuel, Emilio Solla, Peter Wiegold and John Woolrich. In August 2003 she performed at a Pre-Prom portrait of the composer Chen Yi at the V & A, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. In 2007 she performed newly commissioned works at Dartington International Summer School based around the ideas of music and colour.
Helen is currently professor of piano at Trinity College of Music Junior Department, at Leeds College of Music and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has also given masterclasses at Hull University. She has a strong interest in chamber music and has regular duos with flautist Gareth McLearnon, violinist Fenella Humphreys and cellist Sheida Davis. In addition, Helen has recently been invited to play with the group Pianocircus, with whom she has performed at the Royal Northern College of Music and in Malaga. Recent solo recitals include Garforth Arts Festival, Hitchin Music Society and the Deal Festival.