Private Cello Lessons

Introduction: Welcome! I am very excited to work with you and share in my passion and joy of playing the cello and making music. First off, here is a little about me: I am a Houston-based cellist with a focus in private teaching and orchestral performance. I has taught privately in both the Houston and Los Angeles areas. I currently maintain a private cello studio of middle, high school, and adult students in Houston. I received my Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory in 2014 under the tutelage of Natasha Brofsky, and my Master’s of Music Degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in 2016 with Dr. Brinton Smith. My teachers prior to conservatory include Dr. Richard Naill and acclaimed cellist Lynn Harrell. Previously, I have taught at the Pioneer School of Music, a program within the Salvation Army based in Irvine CA, and I have offered sectionals and performance clinics to aid in UIL preparation for the cellists at T.H. Rogers Middle School in Houston, TX. Before we get started, carefully read the studio rules and regulations: Private Lessons Information: I typically offer 60-minute cello lessons. I truly believe a full hour is the minimum amount of time required in order for a student to absorb enough information to improve consistently with regular practice. Students are required to take 4 lessons per month (1 per week) at a mutually agreed upon regular time. Lesson Rates: $70/hour-$280/month-These lessons are offered in my apartment home. $100/hour-$400/month-These lessons are offered at YOUR home. (I typically travel to homes within the 610 loop ONLY) Lesson Arrival/Tardiness Procedure: Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your assigned lesson time. If you arrive late for your lesson, you will have a shorter lesson that day. Tardiness affects the quality and length of your lesson, and I cannot allow it to effect the lesson of the student who comes after you. Payment Information: Payments will be made once a month, at the start of the first lesson of that month. I accept check or cash only. Cancellation Policy: I must be notified of any cancellations at LEAST 24 hours in advance of your scheduled lesson time. If you cancel LESS THAN 24 hours before your lesson time, I am unable to offer refund or makeup lesson. Exceptions to this rule include: -Injury -Illness -Car trouble -Death in the family Exceptions do NOT include: -Double booking -Last minute schedule changes with sports tournaments/spelling bees etc. Make-up Policy/Refund Policy: If a lesson is cancelled at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled lesson, or due to emergency, I am happy to offer a make-up lesson at a mutually agreed upon time. Make-Up lessons must occur within the month of the cancelled lesson, as students are expected to have 4 lessons each month (2 lessons for part-time students). Unless an emergency prevents the possibility of a make-up lesson, I CANNOT offer refunds for a missed make-up or prearranged lesson. If a student will be out of town or unable to attend lessons for a significant period of time, this absence must be communicated to me at least 2 WEEKS in advance. Practicing: Students are expected to practice 6 days out of the week, (every day but their lesson day!) Short yet consistent practice is always more effective than a single long practice session per week. Ex: If you only have 15 minutes to practice, I would rather you practice 15 minutes, 6 days a week, than an hour and a half only once a week. Materials: Please bring your assigned music, a pencil and a notebook to each lesson. Students are expected to take notes during the lesson. Communication: I am happy to communicate with students and/or parents by phone, text or email, though text is often preferred. In the event that serious issues with scheduling, financial matters, or other personal situations arise, please communicate them with me directly, face to face, so we may resolve the matter in person. As a musician, there a few things as rewarding as passing on musical knowledge and introducing others to a beautiful, artistic practice like the cello. Below, I have highlighted some of my own personal beliefs about musical education and the specific ways that I implement them. THE PRACTICE As a teacher, I aim to provide my students with the ability to thoughtfully organize their practice, solve problems efficiently, and effectively teach themselves how to play the cello. While it may seem like as their teacher this should be my job, students will spend much more time practicing on their own than they do in a one-hour lesson each week, so it is essential that they not only remember what they learned in their lesson, but how to apply the things they learned in their practice. Since lessons are organized around no more than three areas in need of improvement, students are required to take simple, yet very specific notes during their lessons, which we review together at the end of every lesson to be sure they know exactly what, and more importantly HOW, each item should be practiced. THE MUSIC In all practice and performance, it is important to remember that creating beautiful and meaningful music is the main objective. Technical work must always be done with a musical goal in mind. We work on articulation to emphasize something important, we practice different types of vibrato to bring out a color or a change in mood. A technique performed without musical intention is just a technique, and no longer art. In all that we do, we must always practice and perform as artists. THE CURIOUS MIND Always be curious! I encourage my students to ask lots of questions. There are many ways to learn how to play the cello, and I want to figure out what works for us, you and me, together. If I suggest something that doesn’t make sense to you, speak up! If you’re having a problem, let’s solve it together! There are reasons for everything decision I make while teaching, and you, the student, deserve to understand them. THE SUPPORT I truly believe that one hour a week is not enough time to give students the support and encouragement they need while pursuing music. Though I create very specific practice plans for my students, I understand that questions come up between lessons, and I highly encourage students to reach out to me directly. Honest and open communication is very important to me, and emails, phone calls and texts are welcomed from parents and students. I would much rather solve an issue as it presents itself, rather than wait until the scheduled lesson time that may be days away.