Cello Lessons in Ashburnham, MA

Instruments: Cello

Every student has different pace of of growth. The most important goal in my teaching for both students and myself is making a progress. Little encouragement helps students to not to lose their interest in music, and continue to work harder to improve. However, sometime little bitter reality is also needed. With a good combination of both, I lead my students to set their realistic goals and help them achieve them. Read More

Instruments: Cello

With beginning students, I use exercises from Suzuki and Essential Elements books as a basis for note reading, but I also frequently use "echo" or "call-and-response" playing. I find this is especially important in developing a student's ear for pitch and tone early on. As a student progresses and their musical interests develop, I combine standard classical repertoire that I grew up playing with song transcriptions of film, jazz, and rock music formatted to match each student's ability level and current technical goals. Read More

Instruments: Cello

As I am certified in Suzuki Book 1, I start students with Suzuki books and methods, while also supplementing with other materials and incorporating any extra music/activities a student might be excited about! With students who have already started, I will often still refer to the Suzuki materials, but I will pull more from other books and repertoire. I am very flexible in strategy and method based on where the student is at and where they want to go, no matter their age. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

I strive to cultivate in all my students a lasting love for the art of music in whatever form it manifests in them. Finding what about the instrument is inspiring to the student is paramount to keeping both of us engaged in the process. As a teacher I challenge my students to explore the joy of making music with their instrument and to chase that which cultivates joy in their playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Bass Guitar

Through my time working with students I have found that it is very important to get to know them on a more personal level, i.e. music they like, their interests, their hobbies etc, and that way I can tailor my lesson plans to them as individuals and make them feel as comfotable as possible. I've learned a lot from my experiences in and out of the classroom, and I use my knowledge to the best of my ability in every lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Trumpet Trombone Flute Clarinet Double Bass Euphonium

I will share fun and efficient ways to practice so that you get immediate results. If desired, I also guarantee you will be playing a blues and improvising within a maximum of 6 weeks as long as you practice at least 10 minutes, three times a week.  You will have the option of playing along with recordings minus your part so that you can experience the joy of ensemble playing early on in the safety of your own home. I love creating small ensemble groups of students at similar levels and arranging concerts at regular intervals. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I do not use any particular "methods" of teaching, although I did begin out on Suzuki. And while I do believe this is an important methodogy, Suzuki does have its flaws as do most of its kind. As I mentioned earlier, theory, harmony, and music history (as rudimentary as they may be at the beginning) are crucial for all students regardless of their level. The more one knows about the piece, the easier it will be to interpret and understand what the composer is asking for. Read More