Helena Ekins

Mezzo-soprano

Helena studied Music at the Melbourne University’s Conservatorium, and completed postgraduate studies in Early Music in London, at Guildhall. She has had the opportunity to sing with (and/or appeared on recordings with) groups including Opera Rara, the Richard Hickox Singers, Chandos’ Operas in English series, the London Oratory Choir, the choir of St Brides, Fleet Street, Ex Cathedra, Polyphony, and Musica Secreta (Tallis Scholars women). She has sung on numerous ABC and BBC live broadcasts and appeared in various festivals including the London Bach Festival, and the Melbourne Festival with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and has toured Europe, Asia and the UK with ensembles. She once appeared on television in China as a soloist with a jazz band, and has appeared as a soloist in oratorio and in newly commissioned works. Helena has performed roles in early opera, including Ottone (L’Incoronazione di Poppea), and Speranza (L’Orfeo - Monteverdi), though generally she lives for unaccompanied ensemble work. After a long break from singing, Helena appeared with Ensemble Gombert, Consort of Melbourne and the Australian Chamber Choir, before establishing the Octet.

Helena loves Gregorian chant and early sacred music most of all, but is also fascinated by Tuvan throat singing and all other forms of vocal expression that she didn’t learn about at university.