Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Purser.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Helena Collective began organically among a group of friends who had been singing together in various ensembles for years and wanted to create something of our own. We were drawn to repertoire that amplifies women’s voices and stories, selecting music that highlights the female experience. While we perform works by composers of any gender, we often choose pieces where the poetry, themes, or dramatic lens shed light on women’s perspectives. Over time, that focus has become our touchstone, shaping a body of work that celebrates, questions, and elevates the many facets of womanhood. We call ourselves a sisterhood because we are all close friends who are also able to share this artistic outlet which brings us even closer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As we approach our tenth season, one of the biggest challenges we’ve navigated together has been starting this ensemble at the exact moment many of us were becoming new mothers. That timing meant balancing rehearsals, performances, and creative planning with sleepless nights, nursing schedules, and the deep identity shift that comes with caring for a newborn. Those years shaped our programming in powerful ways, inspiring concerts centered on motherhood and the tension and beauty of being both an artist and a parent. Our award-winning Orlando Fringe show in 2019 is the clearest example—I was four weeks postpartum when we opened, rehearsing and performing while literally leaking through my costume. It was messy and exhausting and unforgettable, and it showed me just how much strength, resilience, and stubborn creativity lives at the core of this group.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently serve as the Education Director at Opera Orlando, where I oversee all educational and community programming for the company. My background includes several years teaching high school choir and collegiate voice lessons, alongside an active performance career with organizations such as Opera Orlando, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, and the Bach Festival Society. I also sing weekly with the professional octet at Mary Queen of the Universe, which is where many members of The Helena Collective first met. Our ensemble is shaped by the breadth of our professional experiences: most of us teach voice privately or at local colleges, sing with regional opera companies and chamber choirs, and maintain active freelance careers. We also draw strength from the variety within our group—one member owns a music store that offers lessons and instrument repair, and another is a mental health therapist—creating a rich, multifaceted foundation for the music we make together.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
One of the most influential mentors for members of The Helena Collective is our collegiate choral director, Dr. David Brunner, who shaped our early musical identities. Our very first performance featured his piece All I Was Doing Was Breathing, and having him coach and conduct the premiere was incredibly special. We’re also grateful for the partners, families, and friends who support our vision and schedule. And we owe deep thanks to Timucua Arts Foundation and its director, Benoit Glazer—Timucua has championed our work from the beginning and truly feels like our artistic home. We are actually looking forward to performing there ins March for the Timucua Opera Festival. The piece we are doing is called The Tender and uses Jake Heggie’s song cycle called Eve Song along with choral music and poetry to give a voice to Eve.. come see us on March 22nd!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehelenacollective.com/
- Instagram: @thehelenacollective
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/thehelenacollective
