When you have a large number of adult students, it seems like everyone takes turns being injured. It’s hard on everyone involved, especially because most people hurt themselves after a breakthrough. A simple case of overuse gets ignored to the…
After some technical difficulties rendered a new student’s camera useless, I was forced to give a first Skype lesson via audio-only. What was interesting is that I could tell what shape her hand was in by the sound she made,…
I’ve been sitting here trying to come up with the right opening for this post, and nothing is working. You know that thing that happens with the stuff and the other thing? Well I’ve Once upon a time there was a…
Actual tweet from a college football player, whose name I will keep to myself: “I do not want to go to school.” As a rabid consumer of college football and active Twitter-er*, I follow lots of “student athletes”, and courtesy…
It’s hard for me to get used to this blog being read by colleagues and future employers. I think it will always feel like a bit of personal correspondence or a note to myself. I think part of what makes me…
To have this pressed into my hand after the recital yesterday means more than any accolade a high-level institution could bestow upon me.
This is partly my fault. But still! Over the past few weeks, I have had numerous students insinuate that I am not a cellist, but only a cello teacher. This bizarre contradiction sometimes makes me laugh. Yesterday however, I stared…
There are just some days where perspective fails and we are convinced that playing music sucks. Or rather, that as we are attempting it, music sucks. Both are false, but that’s not much consolation when you’re in the middle of…
This is one of my favorite old-timey songs. It’s been that kind of day: swaying around the house, listening to crackly mono recordings, looking through old magazines, drinking experimental iced tea blends. I hope you take a moment to sway…
I’ve been secretive about book #2, but I suppose it won’t hurt to divulge the general idea: it’s a series of études for the repertoire, designed to help cellists on their first passes through some of the hallmark pieces .…
While it does not net me nearly as much revenue as my beloved Lulu, it is pretty exciting to have my book offered on Amazon! I am working feverishly on the next text, which is not the sequel to AMCM.…
In response to and support of GottaGoPractice’s Fauré efforts of the same ilk, I was posting “relaxed Dvorak” videos over on YouTube. This one ran longer than 10 minutes due to one particularly hammy cat whose name begins with an…
One of my students, upon receiving my book and inspecting it offered the following: “If you’d like a nicer cover, I’d be willing to help you.” Thanks. Thanks for that.
Again, from the Twitter files: why would I “fire” a student? First, you should know that “firing” is a term I use with humor. Very rarely do I have to genuinely dismiss a student with unpleasant connotations. Normally, it’s a…
Oooh weeeee I LOVE a request! Wendy wanted me to talk a little more about breathing after a conversation she had with a tuba player. (we won’t tease her too much about that). First stealthy secret about breathing: If you…
Maybe some of you remember Devin. He was a very special student of mine who, despite a massive brain injury that resulted in virtually no ability to retain information for more than 2-3 minutes, managed to make major strides on…
I’m moving to DC in July! More info as I get it. It’s not too soon to contact me for lessons: After my first course at Hopkins in mid-July, I’m going to have August nearly free. Although this was not…
Please forgive the weird appearance of the blog. I think something more cello-y will be up within a few days!
When I stayed with CelloGirl in Atlanta, I reveled the famously warm Southern hospitality: the weather was balmy, the city felt familiar and welcoming, and nearly every morning I was treated to an egg sandwich, CelloGirl style. There are an…
Today, with trembling cursor and my trusty editor holding my hand via iChat, my first book, A Modern Cellist’s Manual was born. This book was the culmination of my experiences teaching mostly adults. Having largely rebooted my technique as a…
Today is my last day in Atlanta. It was strange to watch the Oscars more than a few miles from the Kodak Theatre, but that’s something I’ll have to get used to if I am planning on making the move…
Top 10 things I like about DC/Baltimore area, in no particular order: 4. (Well, I told you it was in no particular order) The Potomac River. 6. Old, old trees. They lie in thickets on the roadside, still buried in…
I’ve been too busy to take many pictures, but I think I will have the time to change that today. So far, I’ve had a lesson with Gottagopractice, two (fantastic, compelling, inspiring) interviews at JHU, and dinner at a Turkish…
I’ve devoted numerous posts to jackassery. Students, musicians, massage threrapists, clamshell packaging, my own personal flailings. (flailing does not necessarily equal failing, but it sure looks dorky) I’ve even laid into other teacher archetypes from time to time. It was…
Friends, Romans, Cello-y people: now that I have specific dates and times for the DC and Atlanta events, some changes were appropriate. Ideally, I’d have DC registration done by the end of this week so I have some idea whether…
This was brought to my attention by a good friend who is familiar with the general theme of my teaching, and has been witness to some of my greatest triumphs, most of which sprung from the sting of utter failure.…
I have a policy in my studio of never accepting a student who cancels their first lesson. What a meanie, right? And yet, the few times in the past when I have caved into the pressure to be amenable, I…
Learning any difficult craft can end up being a metaphor for our relationship with ourselves. No sooner have we picked up the bow than a tree falls right in our path, preventing forward progress with its clear message of: Turn…
In case you’re not on the epic GoogleWave I’ve created to coordinate the tour and are interested in taking a lesson in either DC/Baltimore or Atlanta, here is the sign up sheet. DC dates are March 1-5, Atlanta is March…