Adult Cello Lessons
Are you a former cellist ready to dust off your instrument? A beginner who has always wanted to learn? An advanced amateur looking to take your playing to the next level? I’d love to work with you!
Teaching adults is one of my greatest joys as a cellist and educator. Balance, healthy playing habits, and a reliable technical foundation are at the core of my teaching, while lessons are shaped around your individual interests, goals, and experience.
Some students prefer a traditional classical curriculum, while others want to learn movie scores, prepare orchestral repertoire or audition excerpts, play pop arrangements and cello duets, explore chamber music, or simply become more confident and comfortable with their instrument. My adult students have ranged from complete beginners to advanced players and have joined my studio from across the United States, Europe, and Australia.
My experience teaching adults ranges from college faculty positions at Washington College and The College of Wooster to working with professionals and retirees rediscovering their musical identity. Every student comes to the cello with different goals, and I enjoy developing a creative and collaborative working relationship that reflects what each person hopes to get out of their playing.
Following each lesson, students receive an individualized practice agenda and, if desired, a recording of the lesson. Most adults in my studio take biweekly or monthly lessons, scheduled flexibly through my monthly availability calendar. Two annual adult Zoom studio recitals are also included, offering students who wish to participate a supportive opportunity to share what they’ve been working on.
Fill out my contact form to learn more about adult lesson options, rates, and packages.
“I was Carlyn’s student during my senior year at the College of Wooster (Wooster, Ohio), where she was an adjunct professor. During my time at the College of Wooster, I had three teachers, including Carlyn. She by far left the most impact on my musical growth and desire to continue to further my education as a cellist during graduate school. Carlyn’s comments are highly constructive, and she conducts lessons in adaptive way that cater to your strengths and weakness as a cellist. In addition to a strong emphasis on technique, Carlyn pushed me to critically consider the phrasing of the given repertoire on which we were working. As a result, during my time as a student with Carlyn, I observed significant improvement in not only technique, but also musicality. I was sincerely sad when my time as Carlyn’s student came to an end, as she truly is a wonderful teacher and very talented musician.”