Hello potential students! My name is Jessica and I am a cellist and cello teacher in the Los Angeles area. I've been playing cello since 1993 and received a Bachelors of Music degree in Cello Performance from Cal State University of Long Beach where I was awarded string musician of the year twice. My teachers have ranged from a member of the Tokyo String Quartet, to a top teacher at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, to a former member of the Long Beach Symphony.
As a cellist with years...
Hello potential students! My name is Jessica and I am a cellist and cello teacher in the Los Angeles area. I've been playing cello since 1993 and received a Bachelors of Music degree in Cello Performance from Cal State University of Long Beach where I was awarded string musician of the year twice. My teachers have ranged from a member of the Tokyo String Quartet, to a top teacher at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, to a former member of the Long Beach Symphony.
As a cellist with years of lessons under my belt, I understand what it feels like as a student to leave a lesson feeling inspired to practice. I also know what it feels like to leave a lesson feeling defeated. My goal as a teacher is to be supportive, motivational, and to give you the weekly tools needed to make progress. I have been teaching full-time since 2011 and have grown my studio to an average of 35 weekly students. I teach at my home, online, and potentially at a student's home if they are close enough. The youngest age I teach is 7 and I have no upper age limit. My oldest student started with me when he was 91! Although not required, most of my younger students have goals to be part of honor orchestras and aim for top seating placements. I have had students become multiple-year section leaders of their orchestras and be accepted to audition-only All-District and All-State orchestras.
I do not have a specific method that I use - it all depends on the student. Some students need much more practice at the beginning on how to read music and may need to go slower. For them I like to use the Essential Elements series. For those that already know how to read music or have a background in music, I may start with The ABC's of Music series along with the Suzuki books. Some would prefer a less classical approach and want to play pieces that are more current. In any of these cases, scales will be a part of the curriculum along with short etudes. I like for the pieces we play to be the reward for the technique work we do behind the scenes.
