Cello Lessons in Menlo Park, CA

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

Octavio M. is a Venezuelan-American cellist with an impressive background in performance and teaching. He recently earned his Master's Degree Diploma from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Octavio has won several awards, including the Latin Grammy Foundation Scholarship, The Blair Scholarship, Barron String Orchestral Scholarship, and the William E. Duckwitz Talent Scholarship. He has performed as a soloist with the SFCM Baroque Ensemble, the Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Tachira, and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Ukulele Recorder Music Acoustic Guitar

I am a passionate and dedicated teacher who strives to provide a well structured and personalized lessons to my students. I am a graduate of Whittier College, Class of 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in Music Performance. My main instrument is Cello and my secondary instrument is Piano. I also have experience in studying Violin, Viola, and Bass. Studying Music Performance in College has inspired me to teach and work with students of all ages. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

I eventually earned a degree in Fine Arts and German language from the University of Texas at Austin. To this day, I use what I have learned to teach the future generations how to make beautiful music. Back in Texas I ran a private music studio where I would take on students in the San Antonio area. As I accumulated more and more students, I noticed most suffered from some sort of mental disability. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For beginning students, I usually begin heavily with physical technique, music theory exercises, and scales. From there, I use Rick Mooney's Position Pieces as well as solo repertoire from the Suzuki books to develop musicality and efficiency. The solo works chosen are designed to work toward the interests and goals of the students (competitions and/or genre interests). For advanced or adult students, I treat our lessons more broadly, integrating cello playing, music history, and an exploration of the genre as a whole to establish passion and long-term goals. Read More

Instruments: Cello

My favorite time in any lesson is the "ah ha" moment. Its that moment when a student realizes a concept that they previously struggled with. For me, that is the goal of teaching. For younger students it can be the first time playing twinkle twinkle alone. For older students it could be figuring out how to do a spiccato bow stroke. Its different every time, but it is important to recognize those accomplishments and use them as stepping stones to the next big achievement. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I believe a student's progress depends on how motivated they feel during practices, so I work with students while putting emphasis on patience and encouragement. As a usual protocol for beginning students, I start with one active scale and an easy Suzuki solo piece (ex. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star), slowly introducing simple etudes when progress is noted. I usually demonstrate a piece before assigning it to the students for homework so that they have a better idea of what the piece should sound like in terms of both tempo and how the notes should be carried. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For beginners I like to meet the student where they are. I enjoy using unconventional training methods like using analogies and items to build the basic foundations. I also believe in methods aside from a rigid Suzuki book but playing into a student's interests. There are a number of ways to teach learn. My favorite students are those open to learning from the basics and utilizing unique exercises to build a strong foundation for success. Read More