Available for individual one to one singing lessons (Galway) and group vocal workshops (willing to travel, can discuss fees with groups).
Contact me at helenhancocksoprano@gmail.com
While my main focus is on performance, I also have a keen interest in teaching both in groups and individual solo students. For 2025 – 2026 I was a TAP+ artist in Galway Education Centre going into primary schools working on singing and music literacy projects. I give vocal technique workshops to choirs – this is really taking off and my list of happy choirs is growing: Athlone Choral Society, Le Chéile , Tullamore, Galways Sings, Athlone Acapella and I have a forthcoming workshops with Cantóirí in Dublin in May. I also recently branched off into giving one off group vocal workshops in SCCUL Sanctuary, Kilcornan. This was also successful and I plan to run more again in future.
Most of my teaching experience was in Coole Music and Arts (CMA) where I taught from 2010 – 2022 : I taught recorder, founded and directed the Whistleblowers Wind Ensemble, co-conducted the Coole Harmonies Choir, taught singing and outreach into several primary schools. I left CMA as a teacher in 2022 but remain on the board as I am passionate about music education for young people.
Fuether choral experience was with Galway SATB choir The Marine Singers where I was musical director from 2018-2024 and along with charity events and carol singing, highights included The Galway Mental Health Association’s Annual Celebration of Choral Music at St. Nicholas Church an concerts at Yeats Tower Thoor Ballylee and at Clifden Arts Festival 2023. The choir were also prizewinners in the Mayo Choral Festival in 2019.
I completed several Choral Conducting Summer Schools run by Sing Ireland– with tutors Sabine Horstmann, Bernie Sherlock and Zoltan Pad. I adjudicated for the SCCUL Sanctuary Choir Factor competition in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
I hugely enjoy my students. I have students of all ages and backgrounds. Some come for a lesson before an audition or just for a consultation. Most beginners come into their first lesson slightly terrified and this is normal! I approach my teaching as a two way learning environment for both student and teacher. There can be many reasons to come for singing lessons: I have helped many choral singers whose voices have changed with age. Many have sung their whole lives without correct breath support and while I can’t turn back the clock, the introduction of good technique can be learnt at any age and can help hugely. I really enjoy watching people grow the confidence to express themselves, as singing lessons (in teenagers, but most especially in adults) can really develop a person’s self confidence.
Testimonials
“Thank you so much for a lovely workshop yesterday. There were so many pieces of information and exercises that I found helpful. You had a lovely way of connecting to the group in front of you. Even though we didn’t know each other for the most part everyone seemed to have an enjoyable and informative day of singing! It was nice to meet new people and practice and revise singing techniques.” Niamh Mcsweeney – participant at vocal workshop on SCCUL Sanctuary in April 2026
“Helen ran a choral workshop for Athlone Choral Society on 26 April 2025 which was such a resounding success that choir members are asking for a return visit and sister choirs in the midlands are keen to book a workshop. ….Helen accompanied her talk with demonstrations of all the points covered and the improvment in the choir’s sound and quality of performance was immediate and remarkable…” Athlone Choral Society, April 2025
“Helen did a workshop with our choir, Galway Sings Project recently . It was a most enjoyable and informative evening. Helen is so down-to-earth and flexible (in every sense of the word!). I’ve been in choirs for years and thought I’d learned most of what I needed to know but I picked up some very practical new tips about singing from Helen.(Breathing into your back ribs a case in point.) And in a very fun way. She connected really well with us and had us eating out of her hand. As well as singing better from our diaphragms! She was very encouraging and gave us honest feedback in a very sensitive way. She taught us how to approach a new song and stressed that the emotion/story involved is just as important as the technique. I’d highly recommend her for any group or individual” Galway Singers Choir January 2026
“Helen has a clear passion for music and she creates a warm, supportive environment where students feel happy to sing. She has a special way of making learning fun while also teaching important vocal techniques and teamwork. Thanks to her work, our children have gained confidence, developed a love for singing, and created beautiful music together.“
Anna Eagleton, Principal Kilcolgan Educate Together Clarinbridge Co. Galway
“Helen has helped me immensely to perfect my singing abilities and reach my true potential. Helen has helped me build my confidence and given me the tools I need so I can better control my voice. She has helped me to release tension and relax. She is extremely knowledgeable. I love attending her classes because I learn so much in the time given. There is no pressure, and I feel that she will guide me in the right way. I find her lessons to be extremely beneficial.” Peter Lynch, tenor
“Working with Helen Hancock over the past two years has been incredible. When I first started, I wasn’t confident in my voice at all, but Helen’s support and expertise helped me believe in myself. She improved my technique, teaching me better breathing and control, while also helping me bring emotion and character into my performances.She guided me in building my repertoire, choosing songs that fit my voice while pushing me to grow. She also taught me how to connect with an audience and perform with confidence. Most importantly, she made sure I understood vocal health, so I can keep my voice strong for the long run.Her help with audition preparation was amazing, giving me both the skills and stage presence to perform at my best. I can’t recommend her enough, Helen is an inspiring coach who truly brings out the best in her students.” Lilian Owens, soprano (aged 17)