Cello Lessons in Hilltop, PA

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola

I have been teaching private lessons for the last 6 years and began teaching in the public school system in spring of 2022. This fall, I will be a long-term substitute orchestra teacher for North Allegheny School District. My education at Duquesne was entirely focused on music education. I took various courses in instrument methodology for brass, woodwind, and string instruments, and studied leading pedagogy practices from distinguished educators. I studied cello with PSO musician Adam Liu, and performed challenging works for solo cello in my studio as well as orchestral works with the full Duquesne Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

My favorite quote is: "All students have gifts, they just open their presents have different times."  I work with students where they are and at their pace.  I start beginners with Essential Elements 2000 for Strings.  As students progress I use Samuel Applebaum method books, traditional etudes like Wolfhardt and Sevick, Suzuki books and solo pieces as appropriate.  I teach Traditional Classical string instruction.  I will work to find pieces that students find interesting and keep my instruction engaging and fun for all of my students of all ages. Read More

Instruments: Cello

. At my students' first lessons, I get an idea of their unique skill sets. Even with my beginners, I can tell what musical abilities they may naturally have. From there, I talk to the student about their goals for cello playing. Some may want strictly classical music training and others may want to expand into current popluar music or jazz. Once we establish a direction, I can assign appropriate method books and pieces that will put them on the right path to reach their musical goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I believe that all students can achieve at a high musical level when they are encouraged and paired with a teacher with high expectations. The most successful students tend to be the ones that are taught by great educators that can elicit the hidden talents from their students. For this reason, it is important to find a music teacher that is passionate not only about teaching, but one who is also driven to pass-on a love of music to others. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I have cultivated several concerto competition winners for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Philharmonic concerto competitions. A number of my students continued to study music in some of the most prestigious music schools in the world including Julliard School of Music, Rice University, Indiana University Bloomington, Northwestern University, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Carnegie Mellon University. My teaching prowess has garnered international demand and I have taught masterclasses in the U.S., China and Chile. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Some exercises to get into the position to play and the knowledge about the instrument. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More