Biography

London-based mezzo Helena Cooke studies singing with Veronica Veysey-Campbell and Thomas Elwin. 

Helena was brought up in Cheshire. After graduating from The University of York with a first class honours degree in Music, Helena worked as a Lay Clerk with the Choir of Clare College Cambridge, recording and touring extensively. 

Since then, Helena has enjoyed a busy freelance career in London. She works regularly with a groups including BBC Singers (with whom she performed at Last Night of the Proms 2o25), Dunedin Consort, English Concert and Recordare. She has also done film session work with London Voices and RSVP Voices.

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Helena was a regular alto in the choir of HM Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London, and performed the mezzo solo for their Durufle Requiem in 2024. She now regularly deputises in the choirs of St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Brompton Oratory and Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

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Recent solo highlights include Bruckner Te Deum in York Minster, Bach Magnificat with the Academy of Ancient Music, Haydn Harmoniemesse at the Stour Festival, and Haydn Nelson Mass with the Oxford Philharmonic. In 2022, Helena performed the role of Sorceress in Hampstead Garden Opera's production of Dido and Aeneas. She has also performed Britten's Canticle Abraham and Isaac with Mark Padmore at the St Endellion Summer Music Festival. She features as one of the solo female voices recording Paul Bowles' setting of Yerma with the English Chamber Orchestra.

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Since 2023, Helena has been a member of Levedy Ensemble, an all-female voice and harp quintet of opera singers with choral backgrounds. Recent concert highlights include performances in Padua, Italy, and in Aigle, Switzerland. 

 

Alongisde singing, Helena is also an award-winning photographer and regularly shoots for all kinds of musicians and groups.

She works as the Chorus Manager for the St Endellion Summer Music Festival. 

CV available on request.