Helen grew up in England and Mid Wales, and inherited her singing from her father Jules and grandfather Bill, both of Liverpool. Eclectic musical tastes led to a spell performing as a singer-songwriter, and as a bass player in a punk band. She also pursued an interest in the Bosnian, Sephardic and Yiddish song traditions, before returning to her roots in the Irish tradition.

She now lives in Reading with her husband, American fingerstyle guitarist Duck Baker. Helen performs Irish, Welsh and English songs with Duck, and they also have a shared interest in Christmas carols. Of these, their repertoire includes Provençal/ Occitan, Welsh, German, French and other carols.