Helen Bowater

Full biography Helen Bowater

Helen Bowater is a well-known composer from New Zealand. Helen held the position of Richards Composer in Residence at the New Zealand School of Music , Victoria University of Wellington, during which she wrote a variety of pieces for solo and ensemble performances. She was also the Composer-in-Residence at the Nelson School of Music , where she commissioned Pepe Becker to write a piece for a concert in Nelson.

Helen's compositions have been performed in various festivals , including the NZ Festival of Arts, where she was commissioned to write Psalm 15 Adonai mi yagur. She has worked with other renowned composers such as Bruce Adolphe and lyric writer Andrew Caldwell.

Besides composing music , Helen also performs as a pianist and vocalist. She collaborated with the Extra Virgin Orchestra on their album Dust of Angels, where she played piano and provided vocals.

Helen is passionate about promoting the works of fellow composers and frequently curates concerts of new and recent song cycles. She also runs workshops on composition and brings her expertise to various arts organizations in New Zealand.

Overall, Helen Bowater is a prolific composer and musician whose works have earned her a great reputation in the classical music scene of New Zealand.