MEET The People behind the ORCHESTRA
HELYO Staff & Associates
A collective of dedicated educators and professionals, committed to bringing out the best in each student, in a supportive and inspiring learning environment.
Staff
David Wilson
Founder & Artistic Director
David trained as a violinist and chamber musician in Toronto, co-authoring Kreutzer’s 42 Studies for Violin in 2024 with his mentor and teacher, the late Jacques Israelievitch. He went on to teach music for over 16 years in Toronto’s public schools, before moving to Helsinki in 2022.
Education
B.Mus, 1999. University of Toronto
B. Ed, 2009. OISE, University of Toronto
Ontario College of Teachers (OCT 579121)
Instruments
Violin, viola, piano
(All staff and volunteers are required by HELYO Ry to produce a criminal record check as required by Finnish law for anyone whose duties permanently include working with minors for jobs lasting over 3 months)
HELYO
Associates
Only our personally recommended Associates are listed here. The following businesses and organizations support and enhance your child’s music experience.
ST. NIKOLAS’ CHURCH (HELSINKI)
Our home for
REHEARSALS & CONCERTS
HELYO rehearses and performs at Mikael Agricola Church, home to St Nicholas’ Anglican Church — an English-language congregation of more than 20 nationalities in the heart of Helsinki. Their welcoming, international community and beautiful church space make it a natural home for an English-language youth orchestra, and we’re grateful to share it with them for our weekly rehearsals and our December and May concerts.
HOW VIOLINS
Our recommendation for
INSTRUMENT RENTAL
Run by luthier Guy How, How Violins Oy is a Helsinki violin shop and workshop with over 20 years of experience and more than 10,000 instruments passed through the bench.
Instrument Rental Information ->
They offer a well-regarded and affordable rental program — ideal for founding members starting out on an instrument before committing to a purchase — plus repairs, setup, and accessories for more advanced players.
Explore Instrument Rental ->