SUN HELLERUD is a repairer and educator for the musical instrument repair trade.
She moved from her native Norway in 2011 to study at Newark College’s School of Musical Instrument Crafts, where she graduated from their “Woodwind Instruments : Making and Repair” course in 2014.
She was trained in brass repair by Abi Taylor at Dawkes Music and renowned technician Gale Lawson in N. London in specialised Trombone slide repair. After several years of working in the field she saw there was a need for a more personalised service, catering for students, amateurs and professionals alike, offering flexible time schedules and a closer relationship between the technician and the musician.
As a result, she started up SH Music workshop out of her home in Reading, Berkshire in 2019. From her workshop she repairs both woodwind and brass instruments and takes on repairs, services and restorations to suit the players needs. She always aims to find just the right solution to benefit both the instrument and player, and aims to work closely with the player, involving them in the diagnosing process, keeping an open dialogue and helping them best maintain and take care of their instrument.
Sun also offers tailored online and in person training to musicians and repairers to expand on their knowledge and skillset. She hosts courses for musicians to learn basic repairs, and offers one to one training, group presentations and workshops suitable for any musical audience.
Do you want to learn more about how to diagnose and maintain your instrument or know a group who could benefit from a workshop with Sun? Head to our Training page or contact us more information.
As part of her efforts to raise awareness of the trade, Sun runs the popular social media page Technically Musical which aims to provide information, support and training to both musicians and repairers worldwide.
In June 2024 you could catch Sun on Bill Bailey’s Musical Master Crafters: Junior as Bill’s Master Crafter for woodwind instruments. The episode was filmed in the SH Music Workshop.
In December 2023 SH Music won a Small Business Award, nominated by the residents of Reading and beyond. Scroll down towards the bottom of this page to see some of the heart-warming nominations the business received.
WHAT CAN WE DO? We take on woodwind and brass repairs as well as set up, tuning and servicing. Does your instrument need a tweak, or is it time for it’s annual service? We can quickly assess and quote for work done to fit your schedule. If you are experiencing continuing problems when playing, it may not be you - it may be the instrument. Please head over to our Contact page to get in touch and book an assessment now.
We also offer tailored training and presentations to both individuals and groups interested in the musical instrument trade and can be hired for events and personal training worldwide.
“An exceptionally skilled craftsperson nestled in the heart of Reading, passionately offering high quality advice and technical support for woodwind and brass musicians. Sun is a true professional and works with integrity, her exciting independent small business is an asset to Reading Town.”
”Sun Hellerud is the most thorough and enthusiastic woodwind repairer I have come across in 50 years. She did a modification to a vintage instrument of mine which I had been trying to get other repairers to do for years. She designed and made a new bell brace for a baritone saxophone which did the job beautifully. She also fixed a problem with another instrument which again I had been trying to get other repairers to do for years. I've been recommending her to my students and colleagues and they are always really pleased with her enthusiasm and the quality of her work.”
”Sun left her native country, came to the UK to study at Europe's top musical instrument repair school (in Newark), became a committee member for the National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers, and is now championing the craft of woodwind repair from her base in Reading. Thanks to SH Music, I've begun a new career (inspired by her wonderful Instagram videos), and look forward to visiting Reading several times over the coming year to attend training with the lovely Sunniva. She's putting Reading on the map worldwide quite frankly!”
”The owner Sun Hellerud has generously given of her time and energy not only to support other musical instrument repairers with videos and guidance but also to tirelessly support the trade association. She is keeping an endangered craft alive and deserves to be recognised.”
”SH Music is a one stop shop for everything Music Instrument Repair. The workshop offers support, training and repairs for musicians in Berkshire and beyond. Out of her small home workshop Sun is keeping the musicians of Reading playing! ”