Helena Tibocha

Helena Tibocha - Composer / Poet

Helena Tibocha, b. 1972 in Washington State, USA, began writing poetry as a small child and her poem, The Wall, was first published at the age of 12. She immigrated to the UK in 1994 and studied music composition with Michael Finnissy, graduating with a B.Mus, LRAM in 2000 from the Royal Academy of Music. She returned to writing poetry in 2010, setting her poem, Pilgrim’s Journey, to music for mezzo-soprano, Victoria Kane and the English String Orchestra.

Helena is a member of The Winchcombe Poets, which she co-founded with Chris Haslam in 2011. Helena has performed her poetry-inspired-by-music with pianists Marcel Zidani and Janine Smith and will be soon launching her first MP3 collection of Concert Poetry recorded with pianist Sequoia Sounds. Poetry commissions include Gloucestershire artist, Tony Heath; National Trust properties and Brightspace Foundation.

Helena is passionate about healthy food for body, soul and spirit and loves flowers and topiary. 

Janine Smith - Piano

Janine completed her studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire, having gained a B Mus (Hons) degree and a Post Graduate Diploma. As soloist she gave her debut recital at the Purcell Rooms, London and has since given concerto performances including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Chopin’s piano concerto no 1 with The Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra; Haydn’s piano concerto in D Major with Volante Strings and Mendelssohn’s concerto in A Minor with the English String Orchestra. Janine has also given solo recitals for music societies throughout the UK, including locally, The Kidderminster Classical Music Society, The Midland Gershwin Mayerl Society, Upton Arts Music Group and The Elgar Music School, Worcester.

Currently Janine teaches piano at Winterfold House School and the Elgar School of Music in Worcester, where she has also given various recitals and masterclasses. As well as her teaching and performing, Janine is also keen to promote live music and organises a Sunday afternoon concert series in Stourbridge, at the Christian Community Church, Baylie Street, where she will also be seen as a performer.

Corinne Frost - Cello

After studying at the Royal Academy of Music with Dame Florence Hooton, Corinne went on to study with the great cellist Pierre Fournier. Recitals at the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room followed and, in 1979, Corinne joined the Philharmonia Orchestra, before coming to Worcestershire as co-principal cellist of the English Symphony/String Orchestra in 1993. Corinne is currently an associate member of the CBSO and loves teaching to all ages. As well as being an active soloist, ensemble and orchestral player, Corinne is passionate about bringing live music to people in care homes and hospices and initiated the ESO Care Homes and Hospices programme in 2007. Corinne is part of a duo called Downside Up with Stephen Warner on double bass/guitar. They perform classical and light jazzy numbers in a mix of cello, double bass, classical guitar and voice. Corinne loves to improvise either in a group or solo and enjoys discovering new special sound effects! She also enjoys duo recitals with Janine Smith who is an extremely good pianist and cook!