Cello Lessons in Berlin, MA

Instruments: Piano Cello

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with teaching basic music theory, scales, and start with John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course for the piano students. For Cello beginning students, it's very important to have a correct playing position. Therefore, we will spend some time on knowing cello, position for both hands, and then we will start with Suzuki. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I do not typically use method books.  With younger students, I rely on Suzuki text materials but teach using my own ergonomic, technical and musical methods that I have developed as a cellist in my own playing.   Beginner/Youth Etudes: -Scale Book -Rick Mooney Position Books -Selected Repertoire For more advanced students, I enjoy explaining and/or assigning pages to read from Diran Alexanian's Treatise on the Theory and Technique of the Violoncelliste. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I've been teaching the cello and music to individuals and ensembles for ten years. During my undergraduate degree, I taught with the Virginia Tech String Project. From conducting, coaching sectionals, and helping students with technique during rehearsals, I gained many of the teaching methods and practices I keep today. I also co-taught string ensembles at the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute. In these camps, teachers and students together had a week to program, practice, and perform a concert. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Bass Guitar

I always try to guide my instruction in a fun and engaging direction to keep the student interested and motivated to get better. I am able to do this by being energetic and enthusiastic about my teaching and I feel its important to make the material matter to the student. When a student has confidence in their abilities they are able to achieve much success on their specific instrument. As I also previously mentioned, getting to know what inspires a student and knowing them on a more personal level helps develop a better student/teacher relationship and thus yields a better outcome on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I try my best to lead all lessons with kindness and respect. If those foundations are there, I feel that is the best way to build trust with a student and motivate them to improve. I am very goal driven with my lessons, and want students to always be actively working towards both short term and long term goals while they practice. I also want to enforce the importance of repetition and consistency, as that is crucial for improvement on the instrument. 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

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