Timothy A. Helisek - Full Biography

Overview

Timothy A. Helisek is a composer, pianist, and music educator whose work spans classical chamber music, orchestral composition, piano performance, electroacoustic music, film scoring, and commercial media. His catalog reflects a career devoted to both artistic exploration and professional versatility, bridging traditional composition with modern technology and production.

Albums & Major Works

Piano & Classical Recordings

• Stabat Mater (2021) - a large-scale original sacred work featuring orchestra and choir.
• Moonlight (2015) - solo piano album featuring works by Beethoven, Philip Glass, and others.
• Cognisance (2014) - solo piano album featuring works by Philip Glass, John Adams, Arvo Pärt and others.

Electroacoustic & Experimental Works

• The Time EP (2011)
  Three electronic works based on Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, including Man Cannot Hit On The Right Time To Act, which uses a mathematical formula to map text structure to musical form.
• Animating Existence (2011)
  A 50-minute work for piano and electronics. Each movement incorporates sounds recorded from a different inanimate object, processed through algorithms and computer-based techniques.

Singles & Standalone Works

• Original works and cinematic singles released throughout the past decade, including orchestral, hybrid, and experimental compositions.
• Epic cinematic reinterpretations and large-scale cover releases blending orchestral, choral, and rock elements.

Publishing & Chart Success

Timothy releases music through his independent label, Helisek Music Publishing, which distributes genre-spanning works across classical, cinematic, rock, and contemporary media worldwide.

• Two ringtones reached #1 on the iTunes Classical Ringtone charts
• Additional chart placements in Jazz, Soundtrack, and Hip-Hop/Rap categories

Orchestral & Performance Experience

• Active worship musician, regularly serving as piano/organ accompanist, guitarist and drummer. 
• Performed on piano and celeste with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra of Minnesota.
• Performed solo piano works of major classical repertoire.
• Experienced ensemble musician and collaborator.

Film, Television & Commercial Work

As a film and media composer, Timothy has written music and sound design for dozens of projects. His work has appeared on major broadcast and cable outlets, including:

• Survivor
• CBS News
• 60 Minutes
• NCIS: Los Angeles
• The Mentalist
• VH1: Behind the Music
• Bad Girls Club

Orchestration, Copying & Industry Work

Timothy has worked professionally as a music copyist and orchestrator, collaborating with composers and publishers such as:

• Garry Schyman
• William Goldstein
• Dionne Warwick
• Century City Masterworks

Education & Training

• B.A. in Media & Commercial Music Composition
  California State University, Northridge (2008)
• A.A.S. in Guitar Performance
  McNally Smith College of Music (2004)

Music Education

• Music educator since 1999
• Adjunct Professor in Composition, Film Music and Piano, McNally Smith College of Music (2017) 
• Private instruction in piano, guitar, and composition
• Guest lecturer at Glendale Community College
• Author of Reading Studies for the Beginning Guitarist

Closing Note

Timothy A. Helisek’s career reflects a rare balance of artistic depth and practical application—equally at home in concert halls, classrooms, recording studios, and broadcast media. His work continues to explore the intersection of tradition, technology, and expressive storytelling.