Cello Lessons with Olivia

I teach private cello lessons that emphasize technique, musicality, reading music, and developing practice techniques. I work with each student to discern their strengths and weaknesses, and create a plan of action that aligns with their cello-playing goals.

I believe that the most valuable part of music-making is the bonds it creates between us and other people. Some of the strongest and most impactful bonds I’ve experienced have been with my former teachers and students. I wouldn’t be where I am without the guidance I’ve received throughout my life, and I want to be able to offer up the same support for others.

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I have also found that teaching is a two-way street. By working to explain a concept to someone who is engaging with it for the first time, I’m forced to rethink something that may have become intuitive. This has led to many discoveries and new ways of examining my own playing.

I started playing the cello at 9 years old, and have loved it ever since. One of my first formative musical experiences was with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra where I was challenged to learn my first major symphonies. Following high school I attended Vanderbilt University for my Bachelor’s degree in cello performance, and then Indiana University for my Master’s in Music and Performer’s Diploma degrees. I am currently the Assistant Principal Cellist in the Billings Symphony and a freelance cellist in and around Los Angeles. Playing in orchestras has always been my favorite musical pastime, but I have also enjoyed chamber music, playing with vocal ensembles, doing backup strings for singer-songwriters, and musical theater pits. For me, music has always been about connection. And as I gain experience I find that I am open to more and more types of musical opportunities and paths.

My style of teaching is based upon a structured approach that allows room for individual tailoring to best meet a student’s needs and goals. By setting clear expectations that are mutually agreed upon, I aim to establish a relationship with my students that encourages both internal and external motivation. I have found that this is crucial to ensuring that both the student and I are enjoying the process of learning. Therefore, I work to create a safe space that allows for feedback in both directions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and sometimes there is a need for flexibility even from week to week.

I believe that one of the most rewarding parts of learning an instrument is recognizing one’s own progress. In order to improve, we must not only be our own critics, but also acknowledge the areas in which we’ve grown. Building the capacity to accurately self-reflect is a fundamental part of my teaching philosophy.

The most significant way I stay inspired is through collaborating with others. The feeling of working towards something greater than just ourselves is incomparable, and the relationships that are formed out of that are often so meaningful. Whether in a large orchestra setting or just in my home with a friend, I am grateful for every chance that I get to make and share music with people. I am also frequently inspired by other art forms. I love going to museums, seeing movies, and attending various types of live music performances. Getting to interact with art on the side of the audience gives me new ideas and sources of inspiration that I can then funnel into my own artistry.