General Information

Lessons will usually consist of three parts: warming up with scales and arpeggios; an etude aimed at improving technique; and a piece from the cello repertoire. With most students, we will also incorporate music theory at the beginning or end of the lessons, as well as sight-reading practice and orchestral repertoire as necessary.

It is expected that students will:

• be on time and prepared for their lessons;

• maintain a notebook or other record of their assignments;

• practice daily for an appropriate length of time;

Pricing

Check or cash, due at lesson.

Weekly

Weekly lessons may be rescheduled or cancelled with 24 hours’ notice. Last-minute cancellations may still be charged at my discretion.

$40/half hour
$80/hour

Monthly Subscription

Due at the beginning of the month. Monthly payments are available for students who take a lesson at the same time every week. The payment remains the same no matter how many lessons occur per month. Missed lessons do not roll over to the next month, and make-up lessons are at my discretion.

$160/half hours
$300/hours

Workshop Dates

Please see the Event Calendar for further info.

-workshops paused for 2021-

On Practicing

Learning an instrument is both athletic and artistic. You are building muscle and learning a language, all while developing a new sense of time and sound. You wouldn't cram for a track meet; don't try to cram for your lessons.

Practice daily! Beginners usually only need 15-20 minutes a day, whereas more advanced students should schedule an uninterrupted hour or two every day to spend with their instrument. Practicing requires focus and concentration, and can also be a very personal process, so please set up a place in your home where you/your student feels comfortable making mistakes. In the dining room, for example, while dinner is being prepared just feet away by noisy family is thus not ideal. The best place is a dedicated room or corner of a room set up with the instrument, chair, music stand, and a mirror.

Parents should encourage their children to practice daily, but I do not recommend constant supervision during the practice session, especially once they've been studying for a year or two. Particularly for intermediate to advanced students, it is very important that practice time be uninterrupted so they can learn how to listen for, and fix, their own mistakes. Advanced students should record and review their own practice sessions every few weeks.

I highly recommend playing with others! If you/your family have rusty musical skills, or you always wanted to start learning an instrument, now is the time to dust it off or take it up, and enjoy making music together. Local youth symphonies are always recruiting, and there are several ensembles available to adults as well, even during this pandemic.

Finally, students should record their lessons. Video is best, but an audio recording is also excellent. Review this recording during the practice week to maximize progress.