Leslie Helpert
2016 CV
Brooklyn, NY
Barcelona, ES
lesliehelpert@gmail.com
skype name: leslie helpert
u.s.a: (001) 520-308-5124
spain: (034) 633 391 883
Profile:
I am an international performer, composer, painter, writer, recording artist, Therapeutic Performance Vocal Technique teacher and music educator. I have spent over a decade performing in over 300 venues and recording over 6 records of music (original post-genre and traditional jazz from the 1920's-50's). I have been a teacher of voice, guitar, songwriting and musical principles for over 15 years. I work for commercial and independent music and voice-related projects (voice-over, music for film, major-label musical collaborations). I was schooled at The Berklee College of Music ('97) and The Naropa University ('99), and by a variety of nontraditional and traditional teachers along the way. I am a guitarist of over 20 years as well as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist/producer. I am devoted to maintaining vigorous focus through artistic and musical idioms.
ARTISTIC, MUSICAL, ACADEMIC works
Art Council/Ministry of Culture Government-Funded Works:
2013: Accepted grant recipient by the Danish Art Council for audio/visual musical residency, financed to compose in Copenhagen for 3 months
2008: Composer-in-Residency of Bermuda, performance and teaching position (Bermuda school of Music) elected by the Ministry of Art and Culture to compose music for the country during 3-month immersion; residency involved music program design and administration as well as personally performing, composing and facilitating coursework for people age 8-80
Teaching:
1999-current: Independent worldwide teacher of professionals and students from Boston, MA to Barcelona, Spain, in the capacity of individual lessons, conservatory master-classes, song-writing courses, guitar and voice performance classes, and organized courses through private institutions.
I work both on-line and in person, supervising recordings, offering therapeutic vocal performance technique, expressive workshops and more.
See www.DynamicVoiceTraining.com
2015-2016: Music supervision, boutique Brooklyn creative agency music placement for international brand film
2015: Teacher of music at high-security Spanish penitentiary, voice workshop for inmates.
2013-2015: English Theater Group vocal coach and mentor, Barcelona, Spain
2013: Masterclass, Rhythmik Academy of Music, principles of "The Vocal Body"
2012: Teacher/program mentor to Oberlin Conservatory Electronic Composition/Song-Writing/Voice students, study abroad independent semester
2012: Elected Taylor Guitar Signature Artist, endorsed by Taylor Guitar, Worldwide
2008: Bermuda School Of Music, mentor, workshop and individual teacher in conjunction with The Musician In Residency Program of Bermuda
Tours, Compositions, Collaborations:
2015-16: TKW Studio collaboration, Sitges, Spain
2015: Music Supervisor for Again, NY Creative Agency
2015: vocal coach for TED talk, content collaborator, film-score and visual artist
2015: Single, iBanjo, Valencia
2014: commissioned to write the music for Barcelona, Spain production of Midsummer Night's Dream, English Theater Group
2009-current: Studio Work, Recording Sessions, Performances and Radio Shows in San Francisco, Sonoran Desert, Barcelona, Montreal, Nice, Rome, Atlanta, Boston, Marrakech, Amsterdam, San Sebastian, Valencia, Alicante, New York City, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Paris, London, Malaga, Belgium, Utrecht, Berlin, Bordeaux. Commercial Voice Overs and six records of original compositions
2011: Recording/Performance with Mathieu Cantin (Universal) in Montreal, QC
1999-Current: Recording artist of 6+ records, with albums available via Spotify, I-Tunes, Amazon, youtube, LastFM and other digital music sites
Currently responsible for all aspects of writing, producing, tour management and related licensing/PR
2011-2014: voiceover work with Banjo Music, Trafalgar 13 and voiceover supervisor with Transperfect
2001-current: musical tours in North America and Worldwide. A list of venues and concerts can be seen here
Notable Recordings:
○ When Smart Girls Do Stupid Things, 2012, on Whatabout Music, Barcelona, Spain
○ Thriller, 2012, Montreal Collaboration
○ ULU, 2009, on Whatabout Music, Barcelona Spain, 5-song EP
○ Cupcakes. and radishes, 2004, third full-length musical album
○ “Bad Tooth Doctor,” 2006, music licensed by Somebodies, Sundance Film Festival Film “The Pegasus Moth’s Weave,” 2007, music licensed by American Eagle Outfitters
○ Blow Out The Sound, 2008, Heavy Mojo Album, Universal/Motown Records
○ Mix Tape, 2009, Serpentfly Productions, for world-wide digital release by Athensmusic.net
○ 13 songs, 2001 Serpentfly Productions, second full-length musical album
○ i tell it as it was told to i, 1999 Serpentfly Productions, first full-length musical album
Live performer in group and solo appearances at 300+ venues, inclusive of:
○ Palau De La Musica, 2013, Barcelona, Spain
○ Primavera Sound Festival, 2011, Barcelona, Spain
○ The OBA, Amsterdam, Holland 2010
○ The Theater Lino Ventura, Nice, France, 2009
○ Freeup Productions, Bermuda, 2008
○ Yoshi’s Jazz Club, San Francisco Bay Area, 2008
○ Hartford International Jazz Festival, Fall, 2006, 2008
○ Jam Cruise, Caribbean Music Tour, Winter, 2006
○ The Georgia Theater, Athens, GA, 2004-06
○ The Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA 2006
Education:
● Alumni: Berklee College Of Music, Boston, Massachusetts 1995-1997, course of study: Traditional/Jazz Composition
● Alumni: Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado 1997-1999, course of study: Indigenous Mythology/Traditional Eastern
Arts and Music
● Kripalu Center for Yoga, Lenox, Massachusetts 2001, 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Alliance Certification
Achievements:
● Artist endorsement by Taylor Guitars (2011)
● Funding for Musical Project by "A Room Of Her Own" foundation for Women's Writing (2012)
● Endorsed by Strathmore Writing Papers, as Illustrator (2012)
● Private endorsement through the R. Cochrane McMillan Foundation, for the studio recording of third full-length musical album, $30,000 (2004)
● Ministry of Art and Culture of Bermuda Government funding, 2007, for co-creation of Musician-In-Residency-Program, $25,000 (2008)
● Private endorsement for audio-video installation with David Soler, Barcelona Spain, featuring original music and visual projected illustrations, $1,500 (2015)
● Nominee, Best Songwriter, Athens Georgia Music Award, Flagpole Magazine (2006)
● Danish Art Council, audio/visual composition $5,500 (2013)
● Album "13 Songs" named top 10 album of the decade, Lux Illuminates
Professional References:
Lindsey Ternent, Bermuda
Ministry of Art Culture-endorsed "Freeup Productions" manager for resident program
years known: 13
contact: lindseyternent@gmail.com
Leo Aldrey, Professional Engineer, Student and Colleague
years known: 4
contact info: leo_aldrey@yahoo.com
Ivan Llopis, Banjo Music, Barcelona Spain
Commercial Producer, Collaborator years known: 4
contact: ivan@banjomusic.es
Sam Fisher, Oberlin Conservatory of Music Fellow,
Producer/Recording-Artist/Composer, long-time student years known: 10
contact: samfishermagic@gmail.com
Sebastian Ghandchi, director of English Theater Group,
Barcelona, Spain
years known, 2
contact: fs_ghandchi@hotmail.com
