Scholarships power pianist bringing elegance to special Auburn events

While every Auburn student has a story about a unique campus experience, Jasper Helms’ is different than most; as a pianist who performs for faculty, staff, guests and visitors at the President’s Home, he uses his talent and skills to lend an elegant touch to special events.

“Playing at the President’s Home is very calming — it's a great atmosphere,” he said. “My favorite memories of playing there will always be the holiday parties. The house is decorated beautifully for the season, and everyone’s so happy that it really adds to the joy of playing.”

Helms, who grew up in the small town of Geneva, Alabama, is a senior music performance major studying piano. Several years ago, he got an email from a professor asking if he was interested in performing at the President’s Home. After a house tour, interview and audition, he got the job, and ever since, he’s been playing lunches, dinners and other events.  

“My job is to greet visitors with soft, classical piano playing,” he said. “I play mostly classical music as it fills the room well, though I also play popular tunes and jazz pieces sometimes, especially around the holidays.”

Helms began playing the piano at 11 years old, and by the time he was 16, he knew he wanted to make music for a living.

“I decided I wanted to pursue a career in music during high school,” he said. “The thought of playing piano everyday sounded like a dream.”

In addition to playing at the President’s Home, Helms works as an accompanist for choral groups at Opelika Middle School. With plans to graduate in spring of 2027, he hopes to eventually pursue a master’s degree that will allow him to use his piano education for both teaching and performing.

The recipient of the Glenda Moseley Potts Endowed Scholarship in the Department of Music and the Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Foundation Annual Scholarship in the College of Liberal Arts, Helms said music has been a steady presence throughout his life, including in times of turmoil. After a chaotic childhood marked by frequent moves, he eventually went to live with his grandparents. There, his grandmother’s encouragement became an anchor — one that helped him find stability at the keyboard and fostered his love of the piano.

That same sense of support continues today through the donor-funded scholarships that help make his Auburn education possible.

“Scholarship support is vitally important; otherwise, I would not have the opportunity to pursue my ambitions of playing piano at the level Auburn provides,” he said. “I will be forever grateful for the scholarships that have helped lighten this load for my grandmother and me.”