Helena Protopapas began studying the violin at the age of four and was classically trained learning under the Suzuki method. She was Involved in orchestra, the York Symphony, and numerous music summer camps. From an early age, she trained in jazz, improvisation, classical Indian music, traditional folk and Fiddle among other genres. She attributes her love for world music to her parents ( Her mother holds a Ph.D in ethnomusicology and her father is a world music professor and sitar teacher. As an educator, composer, and performer, Helena continues to broaden and deepen her knowledge and mastery of various genres and loves learning alongside her students!

After graduating high school, Helena moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the music industry and was signed to Warner Brothers records as a recording artist and songwriter. During this time, she led several songwriting camps in LA, began teaching violin, viola, and songwriting privately and discovered her true passion was teaching and sharing her passion for music. 

In 2012, Helena moved back to the East coast to continue developing her private teaching practice. She holds a degree in Art Education and contemporary Art History with a focus on choice- based learning which she implements in her teaching practice. Closer to her family and in beautiful rural Pennsylvania, Helena continues to share her love and musical expertise with an ever blossoming and thriving community of creative, dedicated, and talented students!

LESSONS

Helena teaches private violin, viola, and songwriting lessons, as well as private and group fine art classes in Mountville and In York. She has taught at the following private schools and serves the York and Lancaster area public school districts ( Dallastown, Eastern York, York Suburban, Hempfield, Penn Manor, and Manheim township).

Montessori Children’s House of York 

The Susquehanna Waldorf School of Marietta

New School Montessori of Lancaster

Helena has worked students of all ages ( 3 to 72 years old!) and experience levels. She absolutely adores her students and loves inspiring and sharing her passion for expression, music, and art with her students. She feels exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to nurture and support the process and journey that is beginning or continuing to learn and express oneself either on an instrument, through songwriting, or fine art.

Expertise/Points of Emphasis: 

All ages 4 years + , Suzuki and Sassmanshaus method, ear training, creating a beautiful tone, improvisation, audition prep, different styles including (classical, middle eastern, jazz, tango, Scandinavian, Irish Fiddle), rhythm, composition, and playing with heart. 

Follow along on Helena’s Instagram @helenalalita. She uses this primarily as her art account but she does also share live recordings of her performing, along with other resources and clips.

What Students Say

“When I first started violin in third grade, I remember being so surprised by Helena’s optimistic outlook on the violin. She genuinely had such a lively perspective that was very different from what you would see from normal violin teachers. I remember when she moved to Japan, I didn’t think I would be able to find another teacher that was able to illuminate playing the violin as she does. She truly formed me into the violin player I am today, and I wouldn’t want another teacher.”- Victoria ( 13 )

Luca ( 6) says “I love violin lessons with Helena because she’s funny, and makes a song about any animal or story I want. And she lets me take a break to listen to her music.” 

“I like lessons with Helena because she’s always cheerful and happy. She makes me feel good about myself when I play!” - Emily ( 12 )

“Helena is super fun to have lessons with. She is a lot better than most teachers I've seen out there! She is very encouraging and makes lessons fun and exciting to work with. It's very cool that she is a fellow vegan and animal lover.” Theo (12)

Annabelle ( 7 ) says “She loves lessons with Helena because she is so nice. Annabelle wishes she could teach her for 100 years!”

“I enjoy how optimistic Helena is and how encouraging. I love listening to Helena play the next songs in the book. She is very good at telling what things you’re ready to start playing and what things you should work up to. I like how Helena always gives you a few options of songs for you to pick from.” - Hazel ( 9 )

“Helena is an amazing teacher who inspires everyone around her. She is fantastic at everything that she teaches because of her passion and the dedication she has to her students. She also allows her students to explore more than classical music and encourages them to try new music.” - Deerdra ( 16 )

“I like lessons with Helena because she is kind and has a good understanding of music. She also takes time to help students individually and considers student’s opinions on music and that is why students really enjoy playing the instrument.” -Mathew ( 12 )

“I have been taking lessons with Helena for 8 years, and over the course of those 8 years, I have seen my skills progress greatly. Her enthusiastic approach to teaching the Suzuki method both challenges my skill and inspires me to be the best musician I can be. I also enjoy the fact that she incorporates fiddle tunes and tangos into the repertoire; it serves as a nice, occasional break from the more vigorous music.” - Olivia ( 18 )