Dr Sophie Cello Lab

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Introduction: Dr. Webber offers private cello lessons for all ages and levels. With 18 years of experience teaching children, college students, young professionals, and adults, her focus is nurturing a love and respect for music with a grounded technical foundation. A former student of Janos Starker, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and Richard Markson, she also emphasizes rounded musicianship, weaves music theory and history into her teaching, and aims to empower each student to ultimately become their own teacher. As a student in Dr. Webber's Cello Academy, you will also benefit from ongoing opportunities to perform, compete, and set tailored goals to suit your level and interest.

Overview

Hired 9 times

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25 years in business

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Interested musical styles

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, responsiveness, and value.

Exceptional 5.0

12 reviews

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Stacy r.

Sep 6, 2015

Sophie taught Suzuki group lessons for my 11 year-old son for the past year. The group was made up of three children playing primarily in Suzuki book 7. Sophie turned the weekly hour into a unique time for the kids to explore elements of music theory, improvisation, and chamber music. The lessons were creative, fun, and time very well spent. Both of my sons (the younger one in Suzuki book 2) were lucky enough to take lessons from Sophie over this past summer. She gave clear instructions for work at home, and helped each boy, on his own level, to focus on cello technique, musicality, and home practice approaches. For four days over the summer, Sophie taught my older son and another student in an intensive four-hour daily course, during which they each prepared a piece for performance. My son was also excited to share a 5 layer recording of himself playing a familiar pop tune, with harmony, bass line, and percussion - the culmination of lessons in improvising harmonies and playing as part of a group. We (my sons and I) can not recommend Sophie highly enough. We will miss her in Chicago!

Teresa C.

Sep 7, 2015

We started working with Sophie a year ago after my son had been playing Cello through the school for the two prior years. My son continued both with the school Suzuki program, and supplemented his learning with private lessons from Sophie. In a few short months of working with Sophie my son went from playing notes to playing music. She did a phenomenal helping him understand how to create wonderful tone with his Cello, and how to truly feel the music he was playing. We are very sad Sophie has left the Chicago area as our son wanted to drop his school based program and continue only with her. Thanks Sophie for helping our child take his Cello playing to a whole new level!

Nathan R.

Sep 7, 2015

I studied cello with Dr Webber for a total of 6.5 years spanning from my undergraduate degree through the first year of my graduate studies. Over the time we worked together, she taught me not just how to play the cello with proper technique and tone, but showed me how to appreciate the inner beauty of music and truly explore what I enjoy about music and how it affects my life. From the youngest beginner to the graduate level professional, Dr. Webber's comprehensive understanding of music and warm, cheerful demeanor makes her perfect choice for anyone seeking to improve his or her cello playing or overall musicianship. In her you will find a great teacher, excellent mentor, and even better friend.

Priya V.

Sep 18, 2015

Dr. Webber provided cello instruction for my young daughter for 2 years. She was incredible. She had the kindness and patience to work with a 5-7 year old, but also the demand for excellence that propelled my daughter into a successful young cellist. Under Dr. Webber's guidance, my daughter progressed through the Suzuki books, learned shifting positions, scales, and important technique, while also having fun playing the blues and other styles. My daughter always left her lessons with a smile on her face and a desire to keep working hard. Dr. Webber created achievable, manageable goals and offered praise when deserved. She cared deeply about my child's success and happiness. We could not have asked for a better cello teacher.

Marie r.

Sep 21, 2015

I met Sophie almost two years ago when my family arrived in Chicago and I was looking for a Suzuki cello teacher for my daughter, Eloise. As well as being a violin Suzuki teacher (and former colleague of Sophie at the Music Institute of Chicago), I am also a mother of 3 girls who all play instruments. My family and I moved from France to Chicago two years ago to gain a new and foreign experience. I was particularly interested in observing how the Suzuki music method is taught in the US. Teaching and pedagogy have always been passions of mine. On first meeting Sophie, Eloise didnt really understand and speak English. To move for a new teacher wasnt simple for Eloise and she had very much loved her previous teacher in France. In spite of these difficulties, Sophie immediately knew how to teach Eloise and how to smooth the transition between Eloises previous teachers style and her own teaching (and change of language!). Before coming to Sophie, Eloise, who is now 11 years old, loved playing cello but she wasnt really excited about technique and posture. Step by step, Sophie has shown Eloise why all these technical things are really important and how its improving her sound and playing. In addition to increasing Eloises understanding of the importance of technique, Sophie always suggested new challenges, such as competitions or concerts or chamber music and Eloise was thus always motivated. During the last year, Eloise has completed two full books with Sophie (and is now working on Suzuki Book 8). Under Sophies guidance, Eloise was also recently accepted into the Chicago Symphony Youth Orchestra. Eloise also participated in a little cello ensemble with Sophie; a Suzuki group lesson of sorts, but only for three cellists. Sophie had a lot of ideas on how to make this lesson very interesting and fun (improvisation, chamber music, piano accompaniment, 12 bar blues, harmonic analysis...). Sophies love for teaching and playing cello is contagious, and I have no doubt that any new student will love working with her. Eloise and I wish her the very best in all her future endeavors. Marie Rossot Mother of 2 violinists and 1 cellist Suzuki violin teacher (ESA 5)

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Sophie Webber

FAQs

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
It is important to me to understand each student's musical background (if applicable) and their musical goals from the outset --though these will likely change/develop over time. Every mentor-student relationship is unique and will also naturally develop over time. I am trained in both traditional and suzuki teaching and have method-technique and repertoire books (including the Suzuki repertoire) for all levels (beginner to advanced college). That said, I am also always happy to explore music from outside of these, as well as music from different genres (who said cello playing has to be limited to classical music?!).
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
DM Cello Performance ~Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University MM Cello Performance ~Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University BM Cello Performance ~Trinity College of Music, London
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
~What are your musical short and long term goals (even if you're not sure yet, it's good to start thinking about)? ~What is your favorite kind of music to listen to/play and why? ~What do you hope to gain from taking cello lessons?

Dr Sophie Cello Lab

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