Helen Dawson studied cello with David Smith at the Royal Academy of Music and Hannah Roberts at the RNCM, where she also followed a course in string teaching and was introduced to Dalcroze Eurhythmics. She studied Eurhythmics with Karin Greenhead and gained the Dalcroze Certificate.

Helen has taught Dalcroze in London schools and as a deputy teacher for Junior Guildhall and Junior Trinity music colleges, has run her own pre-school groups, and has given numerous workshops for adults, including for the Voices Foundation, York Music Forum, York University, and at the Music for People summer school, on which she runs an introductory course each year.

Alongside this, Helen has taught cello for the past 20 years both in London and now in Yorkshire, and she particularly enjoys her conducting work with young ensembles in Harrogate schools and with her community choir, Alne Singers.