Christchurch performer, teacher and conductor, Dr. Helen Renaud currently works at Burnside High School, The Christchurch School of Music, The School of Education at UC, and for the All Girl Big Band. She studied bassoon at the Wellington Conservatorium of Music, and Music History at the University of Victoria, before receiving her teaching qualification. In 2009 she graduated with a Masters in Music from the University of Melbourne, where she focused on conducting. It was here that she was taught by the late Professor John Hopkins OBE, and Richard Gill OAM. In 2018 Helen graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Doctorate in Musical Arts, studying rehearsal techniques for high school and youth ensembles.
Helen was appointed to the role of Conductor of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra in 2016. She also conducts the Burnside High School Orchestra and Concert band, and is a free-lance conductor around Christchurch. Helen is one of the founding members of New Zealand’s own All Girl Big Band, where she plays baritone saxophone, and co-founder of The Aurora Festival.
