I'm Helga, this is my story
I believe that everyone has the ability to learn about music, to study music and to learn to play an instrument and enjoy music alone or with other people, at any age and with any background.
I started my early music education at the age of 6 in my home country of Malta taking piano lessons and successfully participating in the ABRSM exams, completing all eight grades and then the LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) Teaching diploma, as well as the LTCL (Licentiate of the Trinity College of Music, London) Performance diploma.
In 1993 I came to the US to study music at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa obtaining a Bachelor of Arts ‘magna cum laude’ in Piano Performance with a minor in Spanish, and then moving to Wisconsin to obtain an M.A. in Musicology with a Leland-Coon Musicology Fellowship from the University of Wisconsin-Madison following my interest in music history.
I have taught music since I was 19 in various settings and to students of all ages. From Kindermusik classes to 3-5 year olds at The Wonder Studio in Madison, to general music in elementary and middle schools for 25 years, I love instilling a passion for music in every age group. This included classroom teaching, preparing students for school concerts, recitals, festivals and competitions. I also taught at Farley’s House of Pianos in Madison, and I have had my piano studio since 2000. Some of my students have continued their studies into college obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees in music themselves.
As a long-time collaborative pianist, I enjoy performing with other musicians, accompanying students for festivals, recitals and competitions, playing for area churches, weddings, choirs, and other events where piano music helps to create joy and community.
In Madison, I co-founded and performed with The Crossroads Trio, with flutist Laura Lentz and cellist Carina Voly, performing classical music with an ethnic and modern flavor, producing a CD called ‘Roots’. With the trio, I have performed in the US, Italy and Malta.
I have been the Local Midwest Representative (IA, IL, MI, MN, ND,SD, WI) for the ABRSM exams since 2004; I am a member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), MAME (Madison Area Music Educators); and a Licensed Kindermusik Educator. As a mother of two amazing adult boys who played trumpet and clarinet in their middle school and high school years, I understand the importance of making sure that children have balance in their lives between sports and the arts.