Helene Mirich Spear

As a 25yo engineer who grew up playing adequate classical piano, in 1976 I was introduced to Helene by Jim Henderson, a tech manager who also played wonderful jazz piano with a combo at Hughes Aircraft Company (Canoga Park, Los Angeles) in the mid-1970's. I was amazed at what he could do and asked him how I might learn some of that. He pointed me to Helene. At my first meeting with her, she looked at this young kid with veiled skepticism and asked me to play scales. I was auditioning to be a student, I quickly realized, and, drawing on old memories, stumbled through one C major scale. She probably thought "Oh, God..." but only said "I only work with professional pianists who are willing to put in 2 - 4 hours of practice a day." I thought "well hm, I'm not dating anybody, I could do that," and signed on - perhaps to her surprise. And then fully committed to the regimen. It's amazing what you can learn in two years at two hours a day! Her teaching continues to illuminate my composing and playing to this day (72yo), and I've been grateful to her ever since.

Helene was a crack up and had a great sense of humor! She was a jewel and I will greatly miss her! My condolences to her family!
Anita Gendler, Cello-Culver City Symphony, Marina Del Rey Symphony

My deepest condolences, Helene had a tremendous impact on me.

Helene was a fantastic musician in many areas. I played in, and was president for sixteen years of one the orchestras she managed: Westchester Symphony which became the Culver City Symphony Orchestra and the Marina del Rey Symphony. She was the epitome of a professional musician and very smart and savvy. She assembled wonderful musicians for the orchestras. And she was a very trusted mentor and advisor. Anyone who came into her circle knew immediately she was all business. Helene helped many women and musicians of color, which at times was a risk.

She was also a wonderful person, a kind soul who cared for her musicians, and one of most lovely women I have had the grace to know. I miss her.
-Matthew Hetz