Cello Lessons in Hightstown, NJ

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

For beginner students, I use the Essential Elements for strings (books 1 and 2). In conjunction with these books, I select a repertoire that corresponds with their current abilities, and work my way up from there. For adults and more advanced students, I use various technical studies such as Sevcik, Kreutzer, and Rode, and standard Rep using the International editions. Regardless of the age or skill level, I always strive to maintain constant engagement and motivation throughout my lessons, whether online or in person. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Cello Bass Guitar

The most rewarding thing as a teacher is passing on my love of music to my students. Music is one of the most important things in my life and has opened me up to the world. Because of music I have met people from all walks of life and that has helped me to become a more loving and compassionate person. Lessons should be a safe, fun and encouraging space for students to grow not only as musicians but as people. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I am friendly and encouraging; I believe that everybody moves at their own pace and strive to help my students make progress. I believe in a goal-oriented mindset; sometimes I like to help students by creating practice guidelines for them to follow in between lessons. I also enjoy giving listening recommendations and the conversations that ensue - by discovering what a student likes or dislikes, I can have a clearer sense of his or her musical personality. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I grew up as a cellist in El Sistema, a huge educational system in Venezuela thats famous for its innovative process and for creating among other great musicians, Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. El Sistema relies heavily on the buddy system, which means that as I learned and was taking lessons from cellists who werent that much older than me, I was also teaching lessons and translating for masterclasses by the time I was 12. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For early students, I typically start with the Suzuki books, as I like the organized technical and musical progression of each piece. As the students develop I begin to add supplimentary materials such as etude and scale books. Students can progress from open strings to Bach with ease. More advanced students can expect a healthy dose of scales, Popper etudes, concertos, and Bach.  Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

For very beginning students, I usually start with the Suzuki Method Books and All For Strings Comprehensive String Method Books. I usually encourage my students to read music, but for the youngest students I start by playing with them and having them copy me. Once they are ready, I start teaching them basic music theory that will help them read music. For intermediate to advanced players I institute a routine of practicing scales and etudes as well as a solo piece that is appropriate for their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I gravitate towards the Essential Elements for Strings books for beginner students because the books so effortlessly combine the first steps of cello playing with basic concepts of music theory and history. I then use a combination of cello duets, etudes (like Dotzauer and S.Lee), and method books (Feuillard) for technical studies. I always incorporate traditional music for the cello (like Bach Cello Suites, famous cello concertos), but work with students on whatever music they enjoy. Read More