Helena von Rueden

Dr. Helena von Rueden is the Elliott Associate Professor of Fine Arts and Director of Choral Activities at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. She also serves as Director of the Choral Program and founder/director of the Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, an eight-voice professional ensemble active in Central Virginia’s Piedmont region. Previously, she co-coordinated the Choral Database with the Institute of Choral Diversity. Her roles include directing the Men’s Chorus, supervising the American Acoustic Music Series, and maintaining an active solo career as a mezzo-soprano with organizations like the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale and Winston-Salem Symphony.

Education: She holds a Master of Music (Voice, 2011) and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting (2013) from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her doctoral research explored the use of figurative language and narrative to enhance vocal technique, musical expressivity, and group collaboration in choral rehearsals.

Research focuses on expanding choral practices beyond Western classical traditions, emphasizing cultural inclusivity and community-building through music. She leads the Expansive Choral Practice Database, a project curating resources for inclusive choral education, performance, and pedagogy. This database aids practitioners in accessing materials on global musical traditions, social justice in choral settings, and culturally responsive teaching methods.

Future Work: Planned updates to the database’s interface and migration to a new platform are slated for 2025. She continues advocating for diverse repertoire and equitable practices in choral music.