Alumni Spotlight: Helen Campo '83
Renowned flutist Helen Campo has earned widespread acclaim throughout her career, with legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein once remarking, "Miss Campo plays the flute the way I wish I could sing." Since making her solo debut at just 14 years old, she has performed hundreds of times at prestigious venues globally, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. As the youngest flutist ever to win the Concert Artists Guild International Competition, her dazzling tone and stunning musicality have consistently captivated critics and audiences alike.
An incredibly versatile musician, Campo has performed extensively with elite ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, the New York Pops, and the Metropolitan Opera. Beyond classical stages, she has served as the principal flutist for 11 Broadway shows, including Wicked, and has recorded or performed with iconic commercial artists like Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. Celebrated by her peers for her technical mastery and cheerful demeanor, she is highly regarded as both a premier instrumentalist and a deeply valued orchestral colleague.
Campo’s musical brilliance is matched by an equally stellar academic background. A high school valedictorian at age 16, she graduated with high honors from NEC, where she was awarded the prestigious Chadwick Medal, and earned a Master of Arts from Queens College. Though she scored in the 92nd percentile on the LSAT, she chose to forego law school to pursue her passion for music, studying under world-class masters to build her remarkable, multi-faceted career.
Why did you choose NEC?
NEC is the oldest conservatory in the country and possibly because of that, already in the 1980’s the faculty had a very mature idea of what music is and can be. So, I considered it an honor when they offered to accept me with no audition.
What have you been up to since graduating from NEC? What projects have you been working on? Do you have any goals you are looking to accomplish?
Along with playing many solo recitals and concertos with orchestras, I’ve played extensively as a member or substitute with many NYC based orchestras for 40 years and counting. All while holding down the Flute Chair of 10 consecutive Broadway shows and raising 2 children.
In the coming year, I now intend to release an album of pop tunes I wrote and sang on, and publish a book of my own poetry. Then, I hope to finish a book on practice techniques I learned as a child, which I found out later were secrets passed down through the students of Lizst and Paganini.
How have your NEC experiences shaped your artistic approach?
I believe it is the best conservatory I know of, certainly the best in this country. It taught me an appreciation for all music and art and how each can affect and positively influence the other.
Share any other stories about what has inspired you at NEC and beyond.
Overall, NEC’s wonderful history, theory, and world music classes, their inspiring faculty, and glorious conservatory building and landmark concert hall.
Also, when Leonard Bernstein wrote a letter recommending me for orchestral work in NYC after I had worked principally as a soloist. I ended up winning the Assistant Principal position of Houston Symphony a few years later and playing with the wonderful musicians there along with their world class conductor Christoph Eschenbach, who was extremely supportive and encouraging to me even as I returned to NYC to start a family.
Do you have any advice for young musicians/current NEC students?
Never stop learning! There is something to be learned from every colleague, teacher and even passerby. Keep an open mind seasoned with discerning consideration.
Learn More About Helen:
Current Job: Flutist at Wicked, Principal Flute at NJ Festival Orchestra, Assistant Principal Flute at Greenwich Symphony, Piccolo at Queens Symphony and NY Pops
Degree: Bachelor of Music
Class Year: 1983
Major: Flute Performance
Instrument: Flute
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