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About
I studied with the best teachers in America and have performed extensively throughout the globe with amazing musicians. Through many years of teaching and individual practice in addition to the best training and performing colleagues I have come to understand how to inspire people to play their best and the play with ease and comfort, and enjoy the musical universe.
I am also an independent small business, working for myself, paying my bills and supporting my daughter in college. That gives you the customer or student the knowledge that you deal only with me and that I am local and not based in some other state. You will know that if you encounter any schedule changes or things that you need to discuss that you will be directly in contact with me. That also applies to payments, I am flexible and offer any number of ways to pay.
I get to enlarge people's world and develop their talents. There is something magical when a person young or old has a breakthrough moment of understanding or when this person is able to master something that was previously difficult. I love it when someone is able to take a piece of music and make it their own, to know how to express an emotion or an idea, and feel that sense of accomplishment and mastery even if it is just a scale or a simple tune.
I love being able to share the knowledge that I have about music and many things that connect music to other parts of life, history, dance, art, emotions, colors. I enjoy figuring out how each person learns, and how to get each person to become an independent musical thinker.
Also, I love to perform and just play music for people, I get to make their days happier and events special and celebratory!
Overview
Hired 19 times
Serves Oakland, CA
Background checked
1 employee
31 years in business
Business hours
Sun8:00 am - 7:00 pmMon8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Payment methods
Ask this pro about their preferred payment method.
Services offered
Interested musical styles
Work location
My customers travel to me
I work remotely (phone or internet)
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
14 reviews
5
93%
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7%
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Read reviews that mention:
Sandy L.
Jan 22, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack
I loved dealing with thumbtack. They found me a cello teacher very quickly. Amy is an experienced cellist and teacher who imparts her knowledge with grace. I am enjoying my lessons tremendously.
Cello Lessons (for adults)
Sivan B.
Apr 14, 2016
I originally studied piano with Amy Brodo and then switched to playing the cello. Studying with her is amazing. She teaches great technical skills as well as how to play with expression. She knows about Baroque Performance Practice, so she is capable of teaching pieces stylistically according to when the pieces were written. While teaching she also informs her students about Harmony. Lastly, she is a kind teacher! Go Amy Brodo!
Chris D.
Jul 18, 2016
Amy is a terrific teacher. An outstanding, Curtis-trained musician herself, Amy brings the exacting precision of high level artistry to her pedagogy, but at the same time makes it fun. She is a perfectionist with regard to technique and focuses in with laser precision on flaws in bowing, finger position, wrist flexibility, posture and, of course, the myriad elements of musical interpretation. You really feel like you've gotten a thorough work out by the time it's over, yet she's always cherubic! She also makes it seem like a mutual, adventurous discovery, even though it's all got to be cello 101 for her--which I appreciate since I'm an older student. She happily shares her vast knowledge, spanning all periods of music from the medieval to the post-modern, and has thoughtful insights on musicology, currents in musical development, even theories of tuning. A talented pianist, Amy can accompany on the piano as well, which is a bonus. But when she accompanies you on the cello, she makes even a beginner sound like a pro. She also speaks excellent Italian! Perhaps the greatest compliment I can add after all this is that I bring my daughter for cellolessons with Amy as well. I recommend her to cellists at any level from beginner to pros just needing an intelligent set of ears.
Imani M.
Sep 13, 2016
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Hired on Thumbtack
Amy played for our wedding ceremony. She was prompt and always readily available to answer questions. Overall, great experience.
Music Duo Entertainment
PK P.
Apr 12, 2016
Amy has been teaching our daughters - cello and piano - for over the past year. Amy is very professional, and she is attentive, interested, and patient with our daughters. Amy has gone out of her way to encourage our daughters' musical interests. Our daughters always look forward to their lessons. We would highly recommend Amy as a music instructor.
Credentials
Background Check
Amy Brodo
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
In general, I believe I am in the middle of the pack with regards to pricing. Some charge more, some charge less. It is a commitment to enter into music lessons, and with me, you get my sincere commitment and focus to each and every lesson and student. In general, 30 minute lessons are $45, 45 are $65, 60 minutes are $85 with some degree of negotiation. I know of very young teachers who charge $110 or 120 an hour, I feel that is a bit too much.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Every person is different and each person comes with an individual set of skills and abilities. When someone is beginning cello we start with how you sit, which means figuring out the length of the end pin, the length of the end pin anchor or strap, where and how you sit on the chair. We start with plucking the strings, then learning how to hold the bow and then a little later I introduce the left hand. Some people need to learn how to read music, others already know. As far as the piano goes, if a person is a beginner, we begin by orienting our hands to the middle of the keyboard. We talk about the geography of the keyboard, and immediately I have a little tune that people can play even before learning to read music. Of course if someone has experience all this is different. I like to get a sense of how someone plays if they have had previous training. But as I said, everyone is different and has different skill sets.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, afterwards I studied privately with various people, free lanced, then was hired to be assistant principal cellist of the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Italy. During my 5 years there, I frequently traveled to Milan to study baroque cello at the Scuola Civica di Milano and toured with I Solisti Veneti. I then became a member of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and played and toured with that group, the Jerusalem Symphony and Israel Chamber Orchestra for four years. Then I moved to England where I studied Viola da gamba and baroque music at the Royal College in London and free lanced throughout Europe. Since coming to the Bay Area of San Francisco, in addition to free lancing with many many groups, I have occasionally taken individual lessons, and observed master classes and have attended lectures. I am also a guest judge for many competitions in the Bay Area and continue to perform as a soloist and chamber music player in addition to free lancing and teaching.
