HELIX! directed by Kynan Johns is the resident new music ensemble at Rutgers. A modular group, highly adept and versatile, with a Pierrot ensemble at it’s core, HELIX! focuses solely on the music of living composers. From solo works to works for 16 players, HELIX! can adapt to the needs of almost any piece. World premieres by Rutgers faculty and students, along with works by leading composers worldwide who are defining new trends in composition are the ensemble’s staple.

Kynan Johns
Hailed by the New York Times as ‘Incisive…first rate…brilliant’, protégé of Lorin Maazel, Johns served four seasons at the Palau de les Arts (opera house), Valencia, two seasons at the New York City Opera and has conducted the Israel Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Philharmonica della Scala, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Sydney and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras amongst many others. A passionate devotee of new music, holding a composition degree from his native Australia, Johns has premiered countless symphonic and small ensemble works throughout the world, primarily in Spain, Israel and the USA. Awarded the inaugural ‘Centenary Medal’ from the Australian Government for his services to music and prize-winner in the Mitropoulos, Maazel/ Vilar and Besancon conducting competitions, Johns is Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Clasica Santa Cecilia, Spain, frequent conductor at MSM and serves as Director of Orchestras and Associate Professor
of Conducting at Rutgers.

Maureen Hurd has appeared in concerts and master classes throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. She has performed at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall, with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, at Merkin Hall, with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in Alice Tully Hall, and in South Korea, France, England and Mexico. She has recorded for Naxos, MSR Classics, and Marquis Classics. Recent releases include premiere recordings of works by Evan Hause and William Bolcom as well as Michael Daugherty’s clarinet concerto Brooklyn Bridge. She has been recognized for her study and performances of classical works connected to Benny Goodman. She joined the faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, in 2002, and she is a Conn-Selmer and Rico Artist, playing Selmer Paris Signature clarinets and Rico Reserve reeds.