Tag: news

Piano masterclass with Helen Reid

Our first masterclass of 2025 repeated the successes of last year’s events. It was led by pianist and teacher Helen Reid, who showed again that she was not just an excellent pianist but also an inspiring, engaging, and insightful teacher. As participants put it afterwards:

“[there was] lots of excellent musical/piano wisdom” – “[Helen] was great – gentle but intentional, sincerely encouraging and with lots of very useful practical and inspirational tips for teaching and playing alike.”

The workshop was held on Thursday 10 July at the home of Simon and Jill Scott, where we benefited from being able to play their superb, and newly restored, Bösendorfer 225 grand piano.

As usual at Club meetings, participants offered a varied programme, with works by composers ranging from Bach to Florence Price and her pupil Margaret Bonds:

Fran – Bach: Invention No.8 in F; Galuppi: Sonata in D, 1st mvt (Adagio)
Ruth – Schubert : Sonata in A minor Opus post. 164 D 537
Kay – Debussy: Reverie
Robin – Margaret Bonds: Troubled Water
Simon S – Fauré: Nocturne No.11 F♯ minor
Jean W – Florence Price: Fantasie nègre No. 1 in E minor
Jean A – Beethoven: Sonata in A♭ Op.26, 1st mvt (Andante con Variazioni)

About Helen Reid

Helen Reid (see https://helenreidpiano.com](https://helenreidpiano.com/) is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year keyboard finalist, and currently pursues a busy career teaching and performing around the UK. As well as performing as a soloist, she is in demand as an accompanist, and regularly performs with the Bristol Ensemble and other chamber groups. Helen works with advanced piano students, both privately and at the University of Bristol. 

Helen has given recitals all around in England, at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Fairfield Halls and Blackheath Halls, London, St. George’s, Bristol, Cheltenham, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and the Aldeburgh and Buxton Festivals. She has performed in Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Performances have included Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and the world premiere of David Matthews’ Piano Concerto at Dartington International Summer Festival, a work written for Helen.

Future events

The Piano Club is planning another masterclass in November, with details to be announced soon – watch this space!

William Howard, who has also led a masterclass for the Club, will be running his course “Creative Practising – How to Keep Your Piano Practice Fresh” again this year on 25–27 October at Jackdaws – see https://www.jackdaws.org.uk/events/3705/

New Piano Club Masterclass with Helen Reid for 2025

Join other Bristol Piano Club members for an informal masterclass to be led by Helen Reid, one of Bristol’s leading teachers.


When: Thursday 10 July 2025, 10:00–16:00
Location: Stoke Bishop, Bristol (venue details provided on booking)
Fees – Members: £45 (playing), £10 (observers);
Fees – Non-members – £55 (playing), £15 (observers). The non-member fee includes a complimentary BPC membership for the rest of the year.
Lunch: participants should bring a packed lunch


Up to eight places are available for pianists who will perform a piece of prepared repertoire. The teaching sessions will be approximately 30 minutes long per pianist, and will focus on interpretation, performance, and technique, but all participants are welcome to offer other topics for discussion during the day.


In addition to the participants, there will be places available for a small observers at £10 for the day.


Helen Reid (see https://helenreidpiano.com) is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year keyboard finalist, and currently pursues a busy career teaching and performing around the UK. As well as performing as a soloist, she is in demand as an accompanist, and regularly performs with the Bristol Ensemble and other chamber groups. Helen works with advanced piano students, both privately and at the University of Bristol.


Helen has given recitals all around in England, at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Fairfield Halls and Blackheath Halls, London, St. George’s, Bristol, Cheltenham, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and the Aldeburgh and Buxton Festivals. She has performed in Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Performances have included Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and the world premiere of David Matthews’ Piano Concerto at Dartington International Summer Festival, a work written for Helen.


To reserve a place or for further details, do not reply to this email but contact Club member Mark Ware at mark@markwareconsulting.com or on 07973 824378.

(NB, the fee shown above has been calculated assuming the full number of 8 attendees; it may be slightly higher if demand is lower, and will be finalised as soon as numbers are known)