*FREE ADMISSION*

https://www.facebook.com/helenexnermusic/

Helen Exner returns from Florida for an exclusive evening to play good music with old friends! Jay Stulo(guitar), Drew Hicks(bass), and Ryan Corb(drums) and of course, Helen Exner(keys and vocals).

Helen Exner grew up playing piano from the age of 5, writing down her first melody at age 8. The daughter of a doctor and nurse, she spent her childhood in different states and countries. These experiences influenced her love of history and culture, bringing her from the East Coast to Cameroon (West Africa) and Germany by the age of 12. In 1992 she arrived in Wisconsin, where she developed her love of classical music through private lessons and a stellar high school arts program at Shawano Community High School. She won state-level awards for her songwriting in high school, including a choral competition in 1998 that resulted in the Festival Choir of Madison singing her song “Tiller of the Soil,” in honor of Wisconsin’s 125th anniversary as a state.

Helen went on to study at the conservatory at Lawrence University in Appleton, spending two years as a pianist and composition major before graduating with a history degree. Following graduation, she made her living as a church musician while returning to school to become a licensed teacher. Helen juggled church-musician duties with teaching piano lessons in her private studio and accompanying at schools. She performed frequently as a singer and pianist in the local jazz circuit, frequenting locales like Cena, Deja Vu Martini Lounge, the Farmer’s Market and countless other venues and festivals. During that time, she gained a following in the local scene as a singer/songwriter who writes piano-driven tunes that tell personal stories–sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always honest. Her unique sound was featured on the National Public Radio show “A Prairie Home Companion” in 2008 when Garrison Keillor brought his show to Appleton.

In 2013 Helen moved to south Florida to begin her math-teaching career, and she volunteers her time socializing homeless dogs as a member of the Everglades Angels Dog Rescue. She lives currently in Palm Beach County with her cats Daisy and Mario.