Linda Helmke

Education

MS, University of Illinois

BS, University of Illinois

Linda Helmke teaches grades 6 - 12 general/vocal music, choir and music technology at the CREC Academy of Science & Innovation in New Britain, Connecticut. Over the course of her 29 year career, she has also taught elementary general music (grades 1 - 5), and choir (grades 4 - 5 ) in Oswego, Illinois as well as high school choir and musical theater in Chicago Heights, Illinois and high school choir, musical theater and music history in Cranford, New Jersey. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in vocal/general music education from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) School of Music. During her tenure at Cranford High School, in Cranford, New Jersey from 1994-2000, Mrs. Helmke conducted award-winning choral ensembles, led regular community performances and annual national tours, and created regular opportunities for collaborations with orchestras. More recently, Mrs. Helmke acted as the Assistant Conductor for the Farmington Valley Choral in Simsbury, Connecticut from 2022-2023. In addition to teaching and conducting, Mrs. Helmke enjoys singing professionally in and around Connecticut. She will be starting her fourteenth season, this year, performing with CONCORA, and will continue her work as Section Leader at various churches in the Hartford region.

Teaching Philosophy

In the Choral classroom, my goal is to create a safe, positive, and encouraging space in which my students can learn and grow as vocal ensemble musicians. By incorporating a binary approach, attending to the further development of vocal technique and aural skills as well as to selective aspects of choral artistry, I will endeavor to foster each student’s ability to apply their skills and knowledge, ultimately resulting in engaging performances filled with joy, excitement and meaning for singers and audience members alike.