Cello Lessons in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Instruments: Cello

Each week at the end of their lesson, my students and I will sit down without the cello and discuss everything that they learned and everything that they need to work on for their next lesson. Together, we set small realistic goals and acknowledge accompishments with small rewards in order to nurture and embolden each student. I always encourage students to enter competitions, festivals, and other programs, as setting larger end goals can be the ultimate motivators! Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

I encourage my students to write their own pieces and perform for one another in my "musical get togethers" held in my studio or sometimes in larger venues. I have also organized 'cello ensembles that would often incorporate a singer, similar to what Pablo Casals did, 50 years ago. I tend to make learning more fun than just teaching in a strict manner - it is too much work to learn an instrument so the student might as well enjoy what he/she is doing otherwise, why do it???? Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

 I've been actively teaching for nearly 35 years. Teaching children as well as adults. I graduated from Drake University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Music Education. While in college I played professionally in the Des Moines Symphony and was the winner of the Young Artist Contest which afforded me the privilege of featured soloist with the Drake Symphony Orchestra. I've travelled Europe performing in America's Youth in Concert and have played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I was a featured soloist at the First World Violoncello Congress in Washington, D.C in 1988 and in a featured faculty trio for the World College Chamber Music Conference in Berlin in 1995. Two of my cello solo recitals were recorded and released in 1981 by Hong Kong Audio Production LTD. MAJOR PROFESSORS Janos Starker, Distinguished Professor of Cello, Indiana University School of Music Chi-wen Szeto, Professor of Cello, President of Cello Society of China Peter Spurbeck, Professor of Cello, University of Memphis TEACHING EXPERIENCE Music Faculty, Charis Conservatory (Yamaha Music School), Cerritos, CA 2003 to present Music Faculty, Arroyo Pacific Academy, Arcadia, CA 2003 to 2007 String Instructor, Mississippi Symphony Outreach Program - Jackson Public Schools, Jackson, MS, 1987-2002 Music Faculty, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, 2000-2002 Assistant Professor of Music, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, 1988-1998 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE Director of Music Programs, Arroyo Pacific Academy, Arcadia, CA, 2003-2007 Director, Waltrips Music School, Arcadia, CA, 2002-2003 Music Director and Conductor, Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra, Jackson, MS, 1993-2002 Guest Music Clinician for youth music programs in Mississippi and other Southeastern States, 1987-2002 Music Counselor, Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, Murfreesboro, TN, 1985 ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE Assistant Principal Cellist, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Jackson, MS, 1987-2002 Cellist, North Carolina Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Festival, Bonne, NC 1987-1991 Principal Cellist, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Meridian, MS, 1992-1996 Associate Principal Cellist, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Sioux Falls, SD, 1987 Principal Cellist, Germantown Symphony Orchestra, Germantown, TN, 1985-1987 Cellist, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis, TN, 1984-1987 Principal Cellist, Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, Tupelo, MS, 1985 Cellist, Symphony Orchestra of National Ballet Theater, Beijing, China, 1968-1980 Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

I believe that every student learns differently and at different levels. I also know that you get out of lessons what you put into them so I require that students practice at home in addition to their weekly lessons. I have recitals twice a year and I believe that being able to play in a group setting and having a goal of performing really gives students the motivation to practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Acoustic Guitar

She was also a principal cellist for the World Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, among others. Currently, Ms. Circe D. is the principal cellist with the Pacific Opera Project. She also is a Teaching Artist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Whittier Youth Orchestra, and Santa Monica Conservatory of Music, and is the conductor of the Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory Youth Orchestra and Harmony Project at Longfellow Elementary School. She is a founding member of the JAC Trio, and the Yellow Bird String Quartet. Read More