Amy S
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Instruments: Cello
Styles: Classical
Amy S
Instruments: Cello
Styles: Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
MM, Belmont University, Cello Performance BM, The Catholic University of America, Cello Performance
Amy S. grew up in Bowie, MD. She attended The Catholic University of America where she received a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance. She then moved to Nashville, TN to attend Belmont University where she received a Masters of Music in Cello Performance. While in Nashville, Amy had the opportunity to play with musical artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Wilson Phillips, Kirk Franklin, Trisha Yearwood, and more. She was also a member of the Jackson Symphony in Jackson, TN. Since moving back to the D.C. Metropolitan area, Amy has become the principal cellist of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra in Bethesda, MD and is a member of the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra in Annapolis, MD. She has also performed as a guest artist with the Washington Ballet at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She also can be found performing in chamber groups though out the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.
I began teaching more than 10 years ago. My qualifications include my Masters and Bachelor degrees in Cello Performance. I have worked as a strings instructor at Middle Tennessee Performing Arts Academy. In this role, I was responsible for teaching cellists of all ages and skill levels to perform. Here I found that by providing an encouraging yet challenging learning environment, the students were able to excel in their studies. Once I moved back to the DC area I was able to start my own studio. I also teach through a local public school system as an adjunct cello instructor.
I like to start by using the Suzuki Method books. As the student progresses, I begin to introduce etudes, starting with Dotzauer. Other methods including Popper, Starker, Duport and Klengel will also be used as needed. Once the student has a good fundamental base other repertoire such as the Bach Six Suites, standard sonatas, and concerti will be added. To keep the student engaged, I also like to add a few fun arrangements of the student choosing as long as it falls within the acceptable level of playing.
I believe that having a good strong foundation is key to learning anything well. I like to start lessons by focusing on scales and technique. This gives the student a chance to settle in and get comfortable. We then will move on to the etude and piece that the student is studying. Each week the student will have specific goals to reach. For beginners, the goal can simply be becoming comfortable holding the instrument. For the more advanced student the goals typically deals with musicality and the fundamentals of making music.
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