Helen Tunstall

Biography

Born in London, Helen Tunstall studied at the Royal College of Music with Marisa Robles and Fiona Hibbert. She is Principal Harp of the London Sinfonietta, the Endymion Ensemble, and the Orchestra of St John's, Smith Square, and she enjoys a busy freelance career playing solo, chamber and orchestral music with all the major London orchestras and ensembles.

Performances this year include the those at the BBC Proms, South Bank Centre, and Barbican Centre in London; at the Aldeburgh, Leeds, Lisbon, Holland, and Turin Festivals;  and appearances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra of St.John's, Smith Square, London Sinfonietta, The Sixteen and the Endymion Ensemble.

She is a top London studio player, recording classical, contemporary, film, television and commercial music.  Recent recordings include Harrison Birtwistle's new work for oboe and harp, Orpheus Elegies, works by Tarik O'Regan for the Collegium label, songs with Chris Botti for the Columbia label, and the films, 'Asterix', 'Wallace and Gromit', 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and 'History of Violence'. She also recorded the television music for 'Life in the Undergrowth', and music for pop artists.

She is a Harp Professor at Guildhall School and at the Royal Academy of Music.