Helen N.

My teaching philosophy is largely centered around the importance of individuality.

Helen Newby continually seeks ways to expand the technical and expressive boundaries of her instrument through close collaboration with other innovative performers, composers and artists. She is widely recognized for her “warm tone” and “intimate balanced sound” (The Washington Post), and as a “superb” and “committed champion” of new music (Cleveland Classical). Newby’s passion for collaboration and experimentation has led her to work with a number of both emerging and established composers, including Steve Reich, Chaya Czernowin, Marcos Balter, Sabrina Schroeder, Ashley Fure, and Tania León, among others. Her premiere solo album, Dialogue, featuring commissions by David Bird, Danny Clay, Adam Hirsch, Kurt Isaacson and Haley Shaw, was released in early 2017 on Ephemeral Stream Recordings.

Newby has performed with and alongside ensembles such as the JACK Quartet, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Eco Ensemble, Real Vocal String Quartet, One Found Sound, and Contemporaneous, among others. She is a founding member of Amaranth Quartet and Chartreuse. Recent and upcoming collaborations with pop, electronic and indie artists include Magik*Magik Orchestra, Diana Gameros, Kendra McKinley, and Aish, among others.

In addition to an active career as a performer, Helen is equally dedicated to teaching. She maintains a private studio in Brooklyn and was formerly on faculty at The Crowden School.