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Drake University: BM Cello Performance
Drake University: Honors Musician 2009 - 2014
Carlsen Cello Foundation: Recipient 2011 - 2014
Drake University: Briggs Cello Scholarship Recipient 2009 - 2015
Des Moines Symphony: Five Year Award 2016
Des Moines Symphony: Spotlight Chamber Musician 2018
I am a passionate and motivated cellist who is excited to spread my knowledge. I was raised in New York State and attended Drake University in 2009 to pursue a Bachelor of Music from Drake University in cello performance. I have been performing under full-time contract with the Des Moines Symphony since 2010 and was one of the founding members of Quartet 515 (est. 2015). I am very fortunate to have started my professional performance career at age 19. I learned to push myself as a young cellist, and my teaching style reflects that. I am often called upon to perform in a variety of styles. That means we'll get you performing the music you want to perform in a way that you enjoy and understand.
I studied cello performance at Drake University under Dr. Ashley Sandor-Sidon. I have always been performance-minded. Learning how to push yourself and stay excited about your art can be difficult. I was fortunate to start my career at a relatively young age, and I have learned a lot since then about how to continue to excel as a cellist and musician. I am ready to bring that experience of crossing large hurdles at a young age to my students. Your musical goals are always achievable! All it takes is optimism and an open mind.
Younger/beginner students will interact with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and some basic Suzuki training. Intermediate to advanced players will be assigned repertory that is a balance of healthy and challenging based on their strengths and weaknesses. All levels of students will interact with Jensen/Chung's CelloMind, scales, and other fundamental technical exercises. Depending on the context, all students will interact with music theory concepts and music history. Some light physics will also be integrated (don't be scared of it!).
Realistic goals are a big part of improving your art. All students will be asked to engage so as to produce a plan and set of goals that they both want and can reasonably achieve. The process of performing can teach us a lot about ourselves as thinkers, artists, and people. Whether you want to play that fun song on the radio or that crazy concerto, I can help you get there. I encourage healthy dialogue and a lot of questions. I feel confident that with an optimistic attitude and an open mind, ANYONE can become a strong musician.