Helen Carmichael joined Glasgow women's drumming group SheBoom in 1995.  Playing at events and festivals all over Europe, writing new music for the band, teaching and leading for many years led her to form Big Groove Promotions in 2001.  Helen left SheBoom in 2008 to concentrate on developing Big Groove and leading Barulho Beat in Glasgow.

While Helen is mostly self-taught she has attended numerous workshops led by respected Scottish samba drummer Erin Scrutton and attended courses tutored by the internationally acclaimed Dudu Tucci and One Voice Music's Ravin Jayasuriya.