Violinist • Violin Teacher
Teaching
Helena has always been eager in sharing the invaluable knowledge she has attained through her studies abroad, to in turn shape and mould the development of classical music in future generations. She was a teaching assistant to her Professor, Natalia Boyarsky, at the Yehudi Menuhin School, and currently teaches at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), School of Young Talents.
Helena's teacher during her nine years of studies at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal College of Music, Natalia Boyarsky, worked closely with the renowned and respected Lord Yehudi Menuhin himself. Helena's violin pedagogy has been immensely shaped by Professor Boyarsky's Russian and English school of teaching, as well as Lord Menuhin's personal philosophy of music and violin technique. During her studies in the UK, Helena spent time as an assistant teacher to Professor Boyarsky at the Yehudi Menuhin School.
Mr Lim Soon Lee and Helena
Helena's approach to teaching is also richly influenced by her teachers Ms Yah Wan Har and Mr Lim Soon Lee. Ms Yah, who is the only Singaporean who studied directly under Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, built a strong and firm foundation in Helena's grasp of the instrument at a very young age through the Suzuki Method. Maestro Lim, who is also an esteemed conductor, passed on indispensible knowledge about music in the context of an ensemble, in addition to the indispensable expertise to achieving technical mastery.
In addition to incorporating the knowledge and skill acquired through her studies with preeminent violinists, as well as studying at leading music institutions, Helena's pedagogic approach is also moulded by her personal teaching experience. She believes that each student is unique, and having started teaching since her time as a student, Helena's experiential knowledge allows her to cater to each pupil specifically. Through holistic music education, each individual is taught not only how to use his or her own instrument, but is also trained in various other aspects such as analytical skills, development of character, self-esteem, and discipline. With all the invaluable training she has received, Helena hopes to nurture future generations of musicians, who will in turn give back to society in their own special way.
Helena and Prof. Natalia Boyarsky
Helena and Ms Yah Wan Har