HELEN COOLEY - HARP

A native Texan, Helen Cooley began playing harp at age 11 while growing up in southwestern Virginia. She now serves at the Principal Harp for the West Texas Symphony orchestra and freelances as a harpist and pianist throughout West Texas.

Her experience includes appearances with Civic Orchestra of Abilene, Abilene Christian University Orchestra, Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra, First Baptist Dallas Orchestra, New River Valley Symphony Orchestra, Permian Basin String Quartet, and Big Spring Symphony Orchestra.

She has performed for two decades in the Cooley Sisters Harp Trio alongside two of her sisters. The trio has released two albums—Hymns for the Harp & Soul and A Christmas Album—and has appeared at the White House during the Christmas seasons of 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Helen has been privileged to study with Anastasia Jellison, Joan Raeburn Holland, Virginia Redhead Bethune, and Mary Louise Hallauer.

In addition to her musical career, Helen holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Florida. She currently works in corporate communications in the energy sector.