|
The Belgian soprano, Helena Maes, took her first steps at the Academie in Gentbrugge under the guidance of Erika Pauwels and Annemarie Rogiest. At the Conservatorium in Gent she obtained her Master of Music degree in Classical Singing with Zeger Vandersteene and Mireille Capelle (2001). The following year she obtained her Aggregate diploma. With the New Zealander Susan Roper she attended a Postgraduate course in Specialization Concert Soloist at the Conservatorium in Antwerp (2003). She took part in the Queen Elisabeth Competition, was in the semifinals of the Belvédère Competition in Vienna for Operetta, Opera and Lied and became 1st Laureate of the Hilda De Groote Competition. With 'In search of Maria' for VTM she went to the Maria Academie in Salzburg under Frank Van Laecke and Linda Lepomme.
Helena Maes has been active as a self-employed singer since 2000. She has already given numerous concerts, recitals & ceremonies ranging from classical & contemporary to musical, pop & jazz. She also takes care of weddings and funerals with enormous dedication - this very often with Patrick Debrabandere and Kaatje Strauven; with whom she also gives concerts as a trio. She has sung many operas and operettas and performed Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the Opera van Gent. With Mieke Mussche, she forms a harp & singing duo with whom she regularly concerts from February 2016 and performs non-obvious repertoire. Together with some strong heads, she founded The Pop-Up Singers (since 2016), a sparkling à la carte concept with Flashmobs, Singing Waiters & Pop Up Events. She regularly collaborates with The Cast, Showcase Entertainment & Divassistance at national and international events.
On a pedagogical level, Helena Maes is a teacher and department coordinator for singing at the Muziekacademie te Gent (Poel) since 2005. Years of experience in musical associations for year courses & music camps (Event Team, MAGO, BVLO, Showproject (since 2012), MiLA, Youth & Music, We Want More & BE!) ensures that she is a much sought-after vocal coach. Since 2020 she is also Vocal & confidence coach at TheArte in Gent. With her characteristic enthusiasm & typical encouragement she strives to let every child/adult discover and learn to develop their own possibilities. Everyone can sing" is her motto; "you just have to believe in it and go for it!" |
