Emily D
5.0
(5)
Instruments: Cello
Styles: Classical, Avant-garde
Emily D
5.0
(5)
Instruments: Cello
Styles:
Classical, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
MM, Stony Brook University, Cello Performance '19 BM, Ithaca College, Cello Performance '17
2013 - Awarded Ithaca College Merit Scholarship 2017 - Awarded Stony Brook University Merit Scholarship 2017 - Performed at Lincoln Center with the Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra 2018 - Attended the National Orchestral Institute and Festival 2018 - Attended the Garth Newel Emerging Artist Fellowship Program
I fell in love with the cello when I started in the Smithtown school district at age nine. At fifteen, I began my formal musical training at Mannes Prep Pre-College Division, studying with Dorothy Lawson of the ETHEL Quartet. I went on to achieve my Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance at Ithaca College, where I studied with Elizabeth Simkin. Currently, I am working towards achieving my Master’s Degree in Music at Stony Brook University.
I have participated in the National Orchestral Institute, Le Domaine Forget International Music Academy, The Silk Road Ensemble Workshop, The Next Festival of Emerging Artists, New Directions Cello Festival, and the Garth Newel Emerging Artist Fellowship. As an orchestral musician, I have played with the Binghamton Philharmonic, Colgate University Orchestra, Northern Tier Orchestra, and the Southold Opera. I'm very passionate about teaching cello privately and I also have the opportunity to coach undergraduate chamber music at Stony Brook.
I have been playing the cello for 13 years now and began giving lessons about five years ago. I have taught everyone from very young beginners, to adults picking up the instrument for the first time, to advanced students preparing to play in a college orchestra. I have prepared many students at all levels for the NYSSMA adjudication, resulting in high scores. However, I encourage students to work on not just their NYSSMA solo, but also to work on thoroughly understanding the skills, techniques, and musicality required of any piece at that level.
In my teaching, I value being able to give students the tools they need to grow outside of lessons. In my own experience as a young cellist, I found that often students are only taught exactly what they need in order to play what is in front of them at the lesson that week, but not how to make that music better on their own. I stress the importance of sight-reading and a knowledge of music theory so that students are comfortable learning new music without relying on me. I also incorporate cello technique early on so that students can improve their tone and sound and continually strive for better. With more advanced students, I add more standard classical cello repertoire and discuss with them how to form a compelling musical interpretation of a piece of music.
I often try to get my students to hear what I hear in their playing by asking them questions. My goal is that the questions that I ask of them will be the questions they begin to ask themselves in their personal practice. Instead of telling a student directly that they may be playing a rhythm incorrectly or that they need to correct their bow technique, I ask them to reexamine that aspect of their playing and they often come up with the solution with some guidance. I find that this helps students to improve quickly and also to have the most effective practice time outside of our lesson. Students also feel empowered to be a part of the process of learning and improving, which is very rewarding for both of us!
Tony Ning
Emily is good teacher. We are very happy with her. She is patient,responsible and punctual. I would highly recommend her.
Dennis Kovanda
Emily is my teacher and I couldn't be happier! Patient, informative, and methodical in her approach to teaching an adult learner about the cello. I would highly recommend Emily as a cello teacher!
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