Helen Russell

Musical Director

Prior to landing to Vienna, Helen worked as an actress and musician in and around New York City for over thirty years. In NYC, she sang in multiple bands before co-founding The City Singers, an a cappella choir and performing group. Together with her producing partners Vito Abate and Martha Cotton, she wrote and co-directed over 15 original works for the group, contributing to NYC charities with the proceeds from their productions.

Vienna’s English Theatre credits over the years include Woody Guthrie's American Song, This Land Is Your Land (Schooltours), Woody Sez (co-creator) and Johnny Cash: The Ring of Fire Musical. In these and other shows, Helen happily toured the world with some of the most amazing musicians you will ever find on the acto-muso stage. Tired of schlepping gear, in 2017, Helen decided to settle down for a while in Vienna, where, thanks to Julia Schafranek and Adrienne Ferguson, she became a founding member of the team at VETA. While living in Vienna, she has been lucky enough to travel here and there for theater gigs and to play keys for and with a very favorite musical director (and VETA teammate) Ariana Pullano.

Helen’s first musical inspiration was her mother Peg, an amazing soprano, honky-tonk piano player and much-beloved elementary school music teacher. Her first band was the family Orff ensemble led by her equally musically talented father, Bob. Currently, Helen teaches piano and is proud to warble with SingSang, a choral group hosted by Gabi and Hans Siffert. She can next be seen in Woody Sez at Theater Hartford (July 2024).

She is very happy to be serving as Musical Director for Nell Gwynn.