Cello Lessons in Mendon, MA

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: 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: Piano Guitar Cello Bass Guitar

Depending on the level of the student and what they are looking to achieve through the lessons I would use a few different methods. I like to use guitar books if at all possible for beginners because its a great place to start. The fundamentals are where you have to start to build a scaffolding and practice books are great for doing this. I also like to use songs and tunes as a way of teaching different concepts. 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: 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 have been teaching group and private lessons since 2021, and I have experience working with students of all ages and backgrounds in both virtual and in-person lesson formats. As part of my appointment as a Teaching Fellow through NEC's Community Performances Partnerships program, I am currently a Teaching Assistant at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Dorchester, MA, where I work with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade cello students on technique and music-reading, and through this fellowship and other NEC classes, I have received training in various pedagogical practices for private teaching. 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