Cello Lessons in Dentsville, MD

Instruments: Cello

I am a cellist living, teaching, and performing in Northern Virginia. I earned my Masters in Music Performance from Ball State University where I studied cello and chamber music with Dr. Peter Opie of the American Piano Trio and my Bachelors in Music Performance from the Conservatory of Shenandoah University where I studied the same with Mr. Clyde Shaw of the Audubon Quartet. I have attended various summer music festivals including the Idyllwild Summer Music Festival and the Chautauqua Summer Music Festival where I furthered my love of performing and attended professional masterclasses and performances on a near daily basis. Read More

Instruments: Cello

From my experience, students vary greatly in musical background, personality, and needs, so I view each new student as a blank slate. My philosophy has always been to patiently build a solid foundation and not rush into advanced pieces at the risk of accumulating bad habits. At the same time, I recognize how important it is to keep learning fun, so I negotiate the balance accordingly. The material I use consists mainly of Suzuki and Rick Mooney's technique books, with other supplementary books and pieces depending on the student's needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

Beginner Adult cellists:  I give adults the option of starting off in Essential Elements or moving at a faster pace with the Suzuki books.  After learning the fundamentals of playing, I then tailor the lessons to the students individual needs or tastes. Beginner children pianists:  I like using the Piano Adventures series with this group.  I usually start with the Primer book before Book 1.  For children in the 4 to 5 age group, I start off with the Pre-Reading books A thru C. Read More

Instruments: Cello

In every student/teacher partnership I undertake, we work together to explore how the brain works consciously and subconsciously to interpret and assimilate information so that when we play the instrument we move and produce sound with integrity. Lessons are always based on questions, dialogue, feedback, and interaction in order to organically meet students needs in the most effective and positive way possible. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I fell in love with the cello when I started in the Smithtown school district at age nine. At fifteen, I began my formal musical training at Mannes Prep Pre-College Division, studying with Dorothy Lawson of the ETHEL Quartet. I went on to achieve my Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance at Ithaca College, where I studied with Elizabeth Simkin. Currently, I am working towards achieving my Master’s Degree in Music at Stony Brook University. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Double Bass Keyboard

My teaching style revolves around the interest of the student combined with my overall experience with one ultimate goal being that the student will develop the tools to teach themselves along the way. I like to use relevant recordings to play along with as well as simply recording the student and playing it back during the lesson. I will keep a written log of our progress and will have it available for the student as a reference as well as encouraging them to do the same. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I'm a performer and educator motivated most by the flash of joy I see in students' faces when they first grasp a new musical concept. With a global perspective on music cultivated by my background performing Brazilian music and American Jazz since childhood, and further bolstered by a B.A. in Anthropology: Ethnomusicology from Ithaca College, I have been a full time touring musician for the last 10 years. In addition to mainstage festival appearances all over the country, I have been lucky enough to teach clinics and master classes in percussion at top conservatories and universities such as Oberlin College & Georgetown University, as well as workshops in high schools, middle schools, & elementary schools all over the US. Read More