H E L E N B L A C K B U R N
B i o g r a p h y
Helen Blackburn is the Artist Teacher of Flute (in the Yvonne Franklin Endowed Chair) at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon, TX. Helen is also principal flutist with the Dallas Opera Orchestra and a core member of Dallas’ modern music ensemble, Voices of Change. She performs with her husband (marimba virtuoso, Drew Lang), is a regular “extra” with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and has numerous credits with major performing arts organizations, including the Breckenridge Music Festival (principal flute for 13 years), Aspen Music Festival (piccolo fellow for 4 years), the Brevard Music Center, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra. Ms. Blackburn received her BM (summa cum laude) from West Texas State University and her MM from Northwestern University. Her teachers (to whom she is eternally grateful and indebted) were Brad Garner, Sally Turk, and Walfrid Kujala. Playing flute is her passion; teaching and mentoring flute students is her calling, and she is thrilled to have a life that embraces both equally!
