Cello Lessons in Malden, MA

Instruments: Cello

I recently began registration with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and am in the process of becoming a Suzuki certified teacher for Book 1. I find the Suzuki method extremely helpful for starting young students, however I also like to use other resources such as the Essential Elements book for beginners. I also want to focus heavily on note reading and sight reading at a younger age, so students have a solid foundation if and when they become members of orchestras or other ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Cello

 This text can be found on IMSLP.  When using this text, I like to have a dialogue with my student regarding the ideas in order to sort through any confusion or comfort problems so that we can begin refining the priniciples this text lays down from beginner to virtuoso cellist.   Advanced to Very Advanced/ Adult Etudes: -Popper High School for Cello Playing -Piatti 12 Caprices for Cello -Various Virtuoso Repertoire -Scales in universal fingering Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Music Keyboard

Nothing makes me happier than seeing students come back the next week excited and confident about what their learning and the time they put into their practice. I Encourage all students to set realistic goals and aim to create an environment that inspires motivation and interest where it can be found. Learning to play music should never feel like a Job and I will always be here to adapt to any teaching style a student may need to succeed. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I primarily use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements books for all of my beginner and intermediate students, and for adult students, I supplement them with Gabriel Koeppen's Cello Method books. For more advanced students, I will work with their current repertoire to determine what skills they can further develop by assigning them new and more challenging pieces or etudes (such as Popper or Piatti) based on their needs. I assign all of my students age and level-appropriate pieces at regular intervals in addition to their books or etudes, ranging from short and simple pieces to highly technical showpieces or concertos. 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

I center the way I teach technique around what "feels" good to a student, especially older students who have already started, to make sure that we are able to prevent and respond to injuries. So, I start with stretching and will frequently refer back to exercises that are meant to integrate physical ease into playing. Aside from that, I try to balance a consistent routine/expectation of things I want to cover (asking for things a week in advance, always playing a scale at the start of the lesson, etc), while also meeting a student where they are at on the day. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I believe patience and versatility are very important, as each student learns a different way. I set goals for each lesson and try to guide the student during the lesson into achieving them. Sometimes the goals are achieved during the lesson, and sometimes while practicing on hteir own time. I don't believe in achieving "perfection", but rather developing a solid understanding and connection with the piece, which is accomplished through putting in hard work and effort.  Read More