David Helfand composes and performs original and traditional music on Celtic Harp, mandocello, guitar, keyboards and percussion. Many of David's compositions were born through improvisation and drawn on the inspiration found in the power of music from many wondrous cultures. Since 2000, David has augmented his repertoire of original and traditional compositions with Israeli and Middle Eastern influenced music and has composed many pieces based upon his journeys to Israel and Britain. Since 1997, David has recorded and released three solo CDs.

Over the last twenty years, aside from performing as a solo artist, David's musical adventures have led him into many powerful collaborations with extraordinary musicians. From 1981 to 1986 he co-founded an acoustic duo called the Impressionistic Folk Duet and the quartet, Amethyst in Ithaca, New York. After his journey to Oregon in 1987, he co-founded an ensemble called Mythic Sky that blended the worlds of acoustic and electronic music that ranged from powerful sweeping soundscapes to delicate atmospherics. In 1995, Mythic Sky released their first self titled CD.

In 1997, David released his debut solo CD "Callings from the Quiet Grove" and in the summer of 2000, released his second solo CD, "Beyond the Sea of Reeds." The creation of "Beyond the Sea of Reeds" was inspired by his journey to Israel and the magical city of Jerusalem. David showcased and performed pieces from this CD at the 2000 International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen's conference in Monterey, California and will perform many of these pieces at the 2003 International Harp Conference in Bloomington, Indiana.

David's latest CD, "At the Edge of the Cornish Sea" released in 2002, is based upon his first journey to Britain and was inspired by his travels to the castle ruins of Tintagel in Cornwall, Glastonbury, Stonehenge, and London.

David composes for and records with many different instruments and musicians. He is accompanied by a brilliant violinist on many of his recordings. David performs many concerts accompanied by a violinist, keyboardist, bassist, and a percussionist.

With Mythic Sky, David produced four annual concerts with Laser Fantasy International and Lane ESD Planetarium and has performed on the Oregon Country Fair mainstage and has played various Northwest festivals. As a solo artist and with small ensembles, David has performed for the Eugene Park Concert Series, Art in the Vineyard, First Night, Eugene Celebration, Willamette Valley Folk Festival, and the Seattle Folklife Festival.

In the Spring of 1997, David co-composed music for the multimedia theater/dance performance "Return to Avalon" which toured Oregon. "Return to Avalon" was performed at the Florence Events Center, Newport Performing Arts Center, Hult Center-Soreng Theater and the Elsinore Theater in Salem. Several pieces from "Callings from the Quiet Grove" were featured in this production.

David has shared the stage and performed with Shanachie recording artist and solo mandolinist, Radim Zenkl, the Celtic Rock group Tempest, composer and pianist Michael Allen Harrison, balladeer David Nigel Lloyd and has opened for Scottish master musician, storyteller, and founding member of the Incredible String Band, Robin Williamson.

For booking information on solo or ensemble performances, contact information is listed above. David looks forward with much joy to hearing from you.

At The Edge of the Cornish Sea

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Beyond the Sea of Reeds

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Callings from the Quiet Grove

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Mythic Sky

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Memories and Stardust

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