Hi, I'm Helena Walsh

I am an International Voice, Acting and Empowerment and Resiliency Coach; CEO and Founder of Helena Walsh Empowerment Studios; an Entrepreneur, Researcher; Organic Intelligence® Coach and Mentor on an international training called Neurosystemics™.

I have always been curious. I spent my childhood asking question after question. I was drawn to acting because I have always been fascinated by the human condition, in particular its complexity and vulnerability. My mother, who was the most compassionate human being I have ever known, struggled with her mental health her whole life and was the person who instilled in me the belief that every human being has a story, and that we are here to listen to each other and be loved for our complexity. It was this complexity that drew me - its fierceness, gentleness, unpredictability, unconventional wisdom, and beauty. This ignited in me a lifelong quest to establish a sense of belonging and deeply rooted humanity in a disassociated world.

I travelled to different corners of the world and worked with exceptional human beings who taught and coached me in the art of being human. Through this I found all the trust, ease, presence and enjoyment I needed to thrive in my life and career. It felt like training in a martial art, the aikido of being human. I explored the light, dark and shade of the creative process, experiencing a deeply sensual, pleasurable way of life.

Over several decades of daily practice in weaving together different disciplines I found the alchemy that led to profound freedom of expression and liberation of heart, soul and mind. Working deeply with complexity on my voice, body and imagination gave me a sense of empowerment and belonging. This daily practice anchored my creative force and rooted it in the here and now, which meant I could be of much greater service to humanity and truly liberate others. Out of this I co-created "The Actor's Practice" with my friend and colleague Benjamin Mathes.

My story

Throughout my extensive career, I have honed my skills in creative leadership which empowers the collective in a non dominant way, working with conflict within collaborations, and empowering collective transformation. My journey began as an actress and singer, giving me a deep understanding of the creative process and the complexity of being human and how to use this to change and transform an audiences' way of seeing the world. In particular the worlds of those who come from a different experience. The power of storytelling, being Irish, is something I always had a deep respect for and felt sacred in how it could integrate the listeners, heart, soul and mind. Over time, I transitioned into a voice and acting coach, training and coaching actors for stage and screen then went on to spending years studying and researching the nervous system and how to offer actors skills in self regulation and collective regulation in an often dysregulating industry and career.

I have made it my life's mission to affect individual and collective change in the arts, in a hope that moving forward systemic change in how actors are trained, educated, cared for in rehearsals and on sets focuses more compassionately on their mental health and wellbeing. Actors are required by nature and their art form to remain sensitive in order to be able to transform into the stories they are asked to tell. I am committed to empowering actors to remember they are artists and get to know how they need to be inspired and supported to create. I am here to help actors unlock their potential, enhance their art of expression, and navigate challenging transitional moments with compassion.

Helena Walsh holds a B.A.Honours in English Literature & The Classics from University College Dublin, Ireland. She has further augmented her professional qualifications with certifications in various areas, including:

Organic Intelligence® HEART™ Coach
Organic Intelligence® Certified Coach
Organic Intelligence® End of Trauma™ Moderator
Neurosystemics™CARE Training Mentor
Certificate in Roy Hart Voice and Body Training from the 'Centre Artistic International, Roy Hart,' France
Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London

Meet our Guest Teachers

Acting & Career Masterclass Maestro

Ben Mathes

Has been inspiring the actors who come to my studio for years now. The energy, wisdom and constant originality of imagination and thought he offers in his teaching empowers the individual actor to have more agency, clarity, purpose in their life and art.

Head of Singing and Character Voice Operations

Ruth McGill

is the embodiment of all that is creative about a life deeply felt and lightly touched with humour, curiosity, joy and love. These past months she has worked with the actors on the “ Art of the Human Voice” weekly, in singing and character voice for animation.

Acting & Voices for Animation Alchemist

Chris Edmund

His teachings bring each actor to a whole new level of embodying the story.
He creates a fun and easy space for actors to risk and go deeper so the nuance, paradox and complexity of the story emerges from the actors versatile and flexible use of the moments of the story.

Chief Compassion Officer

Steve Hoskinson

is a true leader for collective change and guest teacher on The Art of Leadership. He is a world renowned trauma therapist and resiliency expert Steve Hoskinson, MA, MAT & Organic Intelligence® founder

Resiliency & Empowerment Forum

Boaz Feldman

is the cofounder of NeuroSystemics, a psychosocial methodology for resiliency & empowerment. As well as being an experienced psychologist and trainer acting for worldwide positive change.

Meet the Studio Team

Head of Operations & Director of Marketing, Graphics & Web Designer

Christina McMahon

Christina is originally from Mayo, now living in Clonakilty, Ireland and the invisible genius behind the scenes. She steers the ship through the seas of marketing, online courses and social media An incomparable imagination with a treasure chest of characters that sprinkle and sparkle through all our days. She is a gifted VO actress, comic actress and moves as only a comedian can in her own unique and stylish way from one role to the next.

Studio Administrator

Rachel Defontes

Rachel is originally from sunny Southern California, now living in (not-so-sunny) London, following her travel bug throughout Europe & beyond for her work as an actress, writer and producer.

As our Studio Administrator, Rachel is one of the first points of contact for our clients, connecting one on one to discuss their interest and questions in our retreats, courses, workshops and 1:1 sessions with Helena. She supports the work that Helena and Christina do at the studio, organising the calendar and handling logistics for course offerings present and future.

Rachel began working with Helena as an actor in the studio, still taking part in ongoing Scene Study.

She is the Founder & Director of Murmuration Studios with productions in NYC, Edinburgh, Dublin, London and Los Angeles. She directs and writes for film as well as theatre and also enjoys teaching the Junior Professionals (8-12 y/o) at the Young Actor’s Theatre in Islington, London.

She has dearly loved working and growing alongside wizardesses Helena and Christina as well as getting to know and support the incredible members of the studio's Creative Hub.