Marjan Helms

Piano, Composition & Theory

Dr. Marjan Helms is an instructor of piano and composition at the Michigan State University Community Music School. Dr. Helms is a member of The American Composers’ Forum and ASCAP and holds degrees in piano, composition and liturgical studies: a Bachelor of Music in piano from the University of South Alabama; Master of Music in piano from the University of Memphis; Master of Arts in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame; and a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition from the University of Memphis.

A founding faculty member of the MSU Community Music School, Marjan brings to students the creative fruits of her seasoned experience as pianist, conductor, composer and teacher. Her students include both professional and amateur musicians, children and adults, all of whom are welcomed into a comfortable and encouraging learning environment that is tailored to individual student needs and aspirations.

Dr. Helms also serves as the Composer-in-Residence and head of the Piano area at the MSU Community Music School and is an award-winning composer and pianist whose works are performed throughout North America. Her compositions comprise choral, instrumental, and orchestral works, as well as liturgical music and music for the theatre, including: Voices of a Vanished World, Sophie’s Sisters, and the opera Rip van Winkle.