HELEN GROUT

Helen Grout is a versatile multi-instrumentalist whose music has taken her across the UK and Europe, from singing in the chorus with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall to performing at music festivals in Germany and Holland with Joe Broughton's Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. Her work encompasses many different genres and styles, spanning classical and big band to chamber groups and contemporary music. With a repertoire of all saxophones, flutes and clarinets, Helen feels particularly at home in the musical theatre world, having led the National Youth Music Theatre as Reed 1 in their 2023 productions of 'Kiss Me, Kate' at Leicester Curve and 'When I Grow Up' at Rose Theatre, Kingston and Southwark Playhouse, Elephant. Last year, she made her professional debut at the Bridgehouse Theatre, Warwick deputising the reed chair on Nativity! The Musical. This September, Helen looks forward to travelling to New Zealand to solo with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, premiering Alexandra Hope Watson's new musical 'A Magical Musical Mystery'. 

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Helen is passionate about shaping the next generation of musicians. With five years of teaching experience and student success in both instrumental and academic exams, Helen runs a successful private teaching business, as well as tutoring saxophone at King Edward VI Aston School. She also enjoys ensemble sessions and whole-class workshop leading as this allows her to reach a greater number of students and introduce them to the joys of collaborative music. She has delivered both group and individual lessons with Birmingham Music Service, teaching everything from jazz flute to Year 2 recorders! 

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Studying for a Masters in Saxophone Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Naomi Sullivan, Helen has also expanded her studies through multi-instrumental lessons with Paul Saunders to further hone her doubling skills. Prior to this, Helen graduated with a BMus (Hons) in Music from the University of Birmingham, where she received a first class mark in both of her final year recitals. During her studies, she has been the recipient of the Conservatoire Student Award and the inaugural Royal Corps of Army Music Scholarship during her undergraduate degree. 

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