Bio

Helen Lukan began her piano instruction at the age of four under the tutelage of Mr. William Stapleton of Chicago. She earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at WMU under the instruction of Phyllis Rappeport and Dr. Robert Ricci and received her undergraduate degree at Bradley University where she studied piano with Dr. Edward Kaizer. 

In addition to an ongoing association with the Boston Brass, Helen continues to collaborate with the Third Coast Trombone Retreat in Montague, Michigan. She has performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the International Trombone Festival, and at Eastman Conservatory for the Women in Music Series. 

Helen has charmed audiences with her collaborative programs, America: A Musical Tribute! with soprano, Katelin Spencer, and Four-Hand-Frenzy with sister, Clare Chenoweth and has been a featured soloist with the Western Winds, performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Helen is the featured artist and co-creator with husband Cameron S. Brown of the multi-media presentation, A Kaleidoscope of Sound. 

Currently serving as the principal pianist for the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Helen substitutes with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Battle Creek Symphony and the Billings Symphony Orchestra of Billings, Montana. She has also performed with the Florida Symphony, and for many years served as the regular keyboardist with the Grand Rapids Symphony playing piano, celeste and harpsichord.

In addition to her work with regional orchestras and other ensembles, Helen collaborates with a host of students and faculty for recital performances at WMU's School of Music. Among her presence on several collaborative recordings, Helen is a featured artist on the KBR Steinway Sessions Live at Overneath Studios performing Gershwin’s Three Preludes.