Iva C
Instruments: Cello
Styles: Classical
Iva C
Instruments: Cello
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Online
Ages Taught: 10-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
DMA abd from Stony Brook University | MM from New England Conservatory | BM from Oberlin Conservatory
Awards:
Winner of the 2019 Lauren B. Ackerman Prize at Stony Brook University, Top Prize Winner of Hellam Young Artist Competition (2014), Winner of SEO Symphony Concerto Competition (2009), Top Prize Winner of New Albany Concerto Competition, Top Prize Winner of Columbus Symphony Concerto Competition (2007)
Overview:
As an educator, my primary focus for my students is developing their love and joy for music-- as well as teaching each student how to practice smart at home. I also like to develop my students' creativity and freedom with their instruments from an early age by guiding them through improvisation training.
My teaching experiences include Teaching Assistant at Stony Brook University where I taught undergraduate level students. I also taught young students at the prestigious New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston (ages 7-19). I have also taught a range of students privately.
As a performer, I have performed across the US and Europe, in concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Jordan Hall, etc. You can read more about me as a performer and educator on my website: www.ivacasianlakos.com
EXPERIENCE
I'm a cellist who loves to teach students of all ages and levels. I have experience with beginners, intermediate, and advanced students (ages 7-adult).
As I said, I encourage creativity and love for music by introducing students to the freedom of improvisation. While I work on classical training, classical technique, and classical repertoire, the improvisation is a judgement free zone where creativity is encouraged. I also focus on teaching students how to approach their practice sessions at home so they can advance faster.
METHODS USED
I believe in teaching the foundations of cello playing for all levels-- such as scales, arpeggios, double stops. We encounter these techniques all over the repertoire and it's important to learn the basics. I incorporate practice techniques and etudes while teaching pieces to help the student learn how to work on it on their own. I check in with my students and ask what they want to learn, if there are any specific pieces or songs they want to learn-- I want to make sure they are doing something they are passionate about, and I always find that giving students some choices gets better results and practice time drastically increases.
LESSON STYLE
My number one goal is to teach students how to teach themselves-- knowing HOW to practice is the best way to improve!
Part of my lessons involve technical work so that my students can advance into healthy cellists.
Another part of my lessons is developing their musical and creative side-- I ask questions about what a piece feels like, what images, colors, emotions they are thinking of. I show how we can achieve these artistic goals in performance. And I always leave time for some improvisation. Improvisation is best approached in small stages and has to be done without judgement. My first assignment is to ask students to play the WORST sounds they can! This liberates students to explore their instrument and let go of their internal judgement. Then another week I'll ask them to creative a small melody on only 1 string. So on so forth.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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