1982

Born in Vienna, Austria.

1984

For the film portrait of his father -"Helnwein", by Peter Hajek for the national German and Austrian television -Ali meets with Muhammad Ali in Los Angeles for a little sparring.

1985

Moves to Germany with his family.

1989

Meets Keith Harring, who draws artwork on his hands in Düsseldorf, Germany. Doesn't wash his hands for a while.

1991 – 1994

Participates in the installation "Kindskopf" (Head of a Child) of his father, Gottfried Helnwein, in the Minoriten Church, in Austria.

Attends school in England, where he is first introduced to
classical music. Starts violin lessons and basic music theory.

At the age of 11 he sells a painting to purchase his first violin, in Germany.

2000

Moves to Los Angeles where he apprentices for a year at Media Ventures (Hans Zimmer and Jay Rifkin’s studio), working under Henning Lohner. At Media Ventures he learned to use today’s music technology, composition and orchestration (studying Nikolai Rimsky-Kosakov’s “Principles of Orchestration”).

2001

Edits scores and parts for “Orlac’s Hands” – Henning Lohner’s orchestral composition for the silent film, which is performed with a live orchestra at the Flanders International Film Festival, in Belgium, 2001.

2002

Starts an apprenticeship under the renowned arranger and composer David Campbell.

2003

Screening of Caitlin Dahl's Short Film with original music by Ali Helnwein at 811 Traction Ave.

Amongst other projects, he plays violin in a Stephane Grapelli/ Django Reinhadt influenced swing jazz band (The San Marino Jazz Quintet).

2004

Studies a broad range of musical styles, ranging from the technique behind composing Palestrina-style chorals (medeival-style chorales), to the sonata form, to Arnold Schoenberg's teachings, Irish folk music, klezmer music and present day film scores.

Finishes writing his first Piano Sonata.

2005

While still apprenticing under David Campbell, begins writing music for commercials and more short films.

Starts the company Strayed Dogs, LLC together with two of his siblings, Mercedes and Amadeus. Through the company they will continue producing their art, writings and music.

Plays in over 5 local bands.

Forms the Downtown String Quartet, in which he plays 1st violin.

2006

Continues writing music for various short and independent films.

Plays violin in 2 bands, the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California, his Downtown String Quartet and the Traction Avenue Chamber Orchestra which he formed in order to expand the classical music scene in LA.

Orlac's Hands advertisment

Invitation for Caitlin Dahl's film screening

Strayed Dogs, LLC logo