Cello Lessons in Ruby, VA

Instruments: Piano Cello Double Bass Keyboard

My teaching style revolves around the interest of the student combined with my overall experience with one ultimate goal being that the student will develop the tools to teach themselves along the way. I like to use relevant recordings to play along with as well as simply recording the student and playing it back during the lesson. I will keep a written log of our progress and will have it available for the student as a reference as well as encouraging them to do the same. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

Beginner school-aged cellists:  I start this group off in the Essential Elements book 1 to ensure that the student is getting the fundamentals or theory and technique.  After the student feels comfortable playing with the bow, I add the Suzuki book 1 to the repertoire.  After completing Essential Elements Book 1, I then like to introduce the Schroeder etudes in addition to continuing to work our way through all 8 books in the Suzuki series. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I think it is true that teachers often learn as much as students do. I always find myself reflecting throughout the week on lessons that I taught, and considering ways in which I can better interact with and tailor my instruction toward each individual student. My most important duty as a teacher is to help students connect with and enjoy the music, so I make a point of identifying any patterns and points of interest, and encourage them to express themselves freely while respecting the composers' intentions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I find that as useful as many of the methods that I have found most useful for my own performance are, almost every one of my students in drums, percussion and cello requires a different blend of study materials. As a general rule, I rely on providing a balance of classic (some teachers go as far as to say 'canonical') books, and a wide variety of unique listening and independence exercises I've developed over the years. Read More

Instruments: Cello

Music enables levels of communication and understanding between human beings that we don't come close to in the rest of our society and interactions. From my love for chamber music and recognition of music and art as an integral vocabulary for expanding global dialogue, understanding, and peace, I look for performance, creation, recording, and collaboration in classical, tango, contemporary, world, popular, and interdisciplinary artistic projects. Some of my teachers have included Peter Howard, Jorja Fleezanis, Atar Arad, Tanya Carey, and Sally Gross (choreographer). Read More

Instruments: Cello

My program involves using Essential Elements Books, Suzuki Books/Methods, Scale Books, and Dotzauer Books.Weekly instructions include: practicing scales, skill builder exercises and concentration on individual students' solo selections. Students repertoire includes traditional music books, skills book, etudes and songs. Suzuki Essential Elements are books of choice for music. Dotzauer, Klengel and Popper among others are books of choice for etudes. Scales are chosen from various sources and methods. Read More