Helen Hines BSc (Hons) MA DipABRSM ATCL FRSA
Welcome
Violin with Helen teaches in-person and online individual lessons,
group sessions, playtogethers, and theory classes. Families have the option to be taught in-person or online, and students are being taught from all over the UK,
Europe and the US.
The 'Violin with Helen' teaching studio is directed by Helen Hines, and is based in North Reading, Berkshire, UK, and provides adults and children age 4+ with a comprehensive and exceptional music education. Teaching is based around the Suzuki philosophy, and students are encouraged to reach their potential in a warm and nurturing environment.
Students of Violin with Helen have performed for a number of high profile events, including private performances for well-known celebrities and artists from the film, television and music industries, as well as festivals, competitions and charity performances. A number of students have also been members of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, National Youth Orchestra, English Schools Orchestra, regional youth orchestras, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Royal College of Music. They also hold a number of music scholarships, regularly place highly in regional and national competitions, and routinely achieve the highest results in their ABRSM, LCM and Trinity music exams.
News and Announcements
Calling Instrumental and Vocal Teachers
Helen Hines is a PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s Reid School of Music, where she combines decades of experience in music teaching with a strong background in technology. Her doctoral project explores how digital tools and technologies are influencing teaching and learning in one-to-one instrumental and vocal lessons across the UK.
Helen was recently interviewed by Music Mark about her research and has received competitive grants from the Royal Musical Association and the Edinburgh College of Arts to aid the completion of her work.
Instrumental and vocal teachers can take part in the nationwide survey, which seeks to inform future practise, policy, and professional support across the sector: https://shorturl.at/z9lWm
In addition, music hubs, policymakers, educational organisation, and other stakeholders, alongside teachers, parents and students, are encouraged to register their interest in being interviewed, or to receive research updates and findings as the project develops.
Contact can be made via Helen's research website.
Prospective Students
I’m pleased to share that a number of new students will be welcomed from September 2026, including a cohort of younger beginners who will have the opportunity to grow and progress together throughout their violin years. These places are becoming available as a significant number of my long-term students, many of whom started with me at around age four, will be graduating and moving on to university, having successfully achieved Grade 8 and Diploma-level examinations.
If you’re considering violin lessons for your child, please visit the New Students page to get in touch and find out more about availability and next steps.
Christmas Performances 2025
This year Appassionato will be performing their Christmas set at the following locations:
Sun 14th Dec - The Barn, Bottle and Glass Pub - 3pm-4pm
Sat 20th Dec - Hexagon - Cinderella Pantomime (before 1pm performance)
Sat 20th Dec - Broadstreet Mall - 3pm-4pm
Sun 21st Dec - Hexagon - Cinderella Pantomime (before 1pm performance)
Sun 21st Dec - Reading Biscuit Factory - 3pm-4pm
Mon 22nd Dec - Thames Lido - 6:30pm-8:30pm
Music Exam Success!
Violin Exams
Michael - ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction
Leonie - ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction
Mara - Trinity Grade 8 Distinction
Rosie - Trinity Grade 8 Distinction
Mahima - Trinity Grade 8 Distinction
Emma - ABRSM Grade 7 Distinction
William - Trinity G6 Distinction
Katherine - Trinity G6 Distinction
Lily - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
Gayatri - ABRSM Grade 4 Distinction
James - ABRSM Grade 3 Distinction
Sebastian - ABRSM Grade 3 Distinction
Diploma Exams
A very big Congratulations to our recent Diploma students who now have letters after their names!
James ARSM Diploma - Distinction
Matilda ARSM Diploma - Distinction
George - ATCL Diploma
Kenjer ARSM Diploma
Michael ARSM Diploma
Theory Exams
Ethan - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
William - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
Eva - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
Sophie - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
Anagha - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
Vihaan - ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction
With over 130 grade exams taken in the past 5 years, our average grade is a Distinction for both ABRSM and Trinity Grades 1-8!
Hexagon Pantomime 2024
Cinderella
We were back again to perform before 12 Christmas pantomime performances at the Hexagon, Reading.
It was lovely to hear some many wonderful comments from the people of Reading.
Until next year!
George - Graduation Recital
After receiving his violin diploma from Trinity in the summer of 2023, graduating student George entertained a full audience with his recent graduation recital in the Buttery at Reading Blue Coat School.
Ciaccona in G minor - Vitali
Sonata in C Major - Mozart
Scène de Ballet - de Bèriot
Romance in G - Beethoven
Danse Espagnole - de Falla
We wish you the best of luck at University!
Congratulations at the Woodley Festival 2025
Mara - 1st prize - Concerto solo 18 and under
Kenjer - 1st prize - Recital class 16 and under
Anagha - 1st prize - Concerto solo 13 and under
Yi Jia - 1st prize - String solo 11 and under
James L - 1st prize - String Solo 9 and under
Katherine - 1st prize - G4-5 class
Sawako - 1st prize - G2-3 class
Evelyn - 1st prize - Beginners class, and the Follet Cup
Mara - 2nd prize - String solo 18 and under
Kenjer - 2nd prize - Concerto solo 16 and under
Leonie - 2nd prize - Recital class 16 and under
Gayatri - 2nd prize - String solo 13 and under
Michael - 2nd prize - Recital class 13 and under
Katherine - 2nd prize - Recital class 11 and under
Emma - 2nd prize - Recital class 11 and under
Jasmine - 2nd prize - String solo 11 and under
Ethan - 2nd prize - G6-7 class
Scarlett - 2nd prize - G4-5 class
Harshita - 2nd prize - G4-5 class
Ella - 2nd prize - G2-3 class
Eva - 3rd prize - Concerto solo 16 and under
Rosie - 3rd prize - Concerto solo 16 and under
Mia - 3rd prize - String solo 13 and under
Yi Jia - 3rd prize - Recital class 11 and under
Yi Jia - 3rd prize - Concerto solo 11 and under
Sebastian - 3rd Prize - String Solo 9 and under
Zuleyha - 3rd prize - String solo 9 and under
Vihaan - 3rd prize - G6-7 class
Appassionato and Crescendo at Woodley Festival 2024
Our performance groups both entered the Woodley Festival this year, and both groups were awarded 1st prize (Gold) in their categories.
Appassionato - Eleanor Rigby (awarded 1st place in the 16 and Under category and the overall Norman Head Award for best group in all categories)
Crescendo - Mad World (awarded 1st place in the 13 and Under category).
Hexagon Panto Performances 2023
Appassionato enjoyed their performances at the Hexagon this year, bringing Christmas cheer to 11 performances of Sleeping Beauty.
See you next year!