Private lessons with top Cello instructors near West Frankfort, IL

Having 20+ years of playing experience, and 10+ years of professional experienced cello teaching, I feel very comfortable helping my students understand the foundations of cello technique. My lessons are structured very clearly with some technique work at the beginning, whether it be scales or a study, followed by a piece or work we’ll work on together to finish off the lesson. In addition, I send each of my students off with their very own practice regiment and practice journal/log ✍️, that they can use to track their own progress throughout their week, keep track of their assignments, and lastly, write out any comments or questions that come up in between lessons. I also share music and other supplemental materials to my students when possible in these practice regiments, so that they do not always have to purchase it or search for it themselves :) I’m happy to help and guide my students however they need it :) Here’s some more background on me: I graduated with a Bachelors of Music from the music conservatory Cleveland Institute of Music, and got my Masters in Music from Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music. In addition, I completed a 2 year rigorous Suzuki Technique Pedagogy Program where I am now certified to teach all 10 levels of the cello books. I am confident in explaining any questions a student may have. I love to make practicing a game, so that way we are developing the proper skills but also challenging ourselves while having fun! Even I can understand that practicing can get tiresome and dull at times! As a traveling musician who has performed all over the world, I feel it is important for students to appreciate all types of music. While classical training and technique are absolutely crucial to the beginning stages of a student's development, I like to show the student how their skills can be integrated into other styles of music as they develop. I am in a string quartet, called ATLYS, where we play a variety of genres and styles of music from classical to traditional to folk to rock. All music is connected and I love how my students can see this connection and start to use their skills to be a part of that bigger picture.

Cindy holds two degrees and a teaching Certificate.  She obtained her Master of Arts degree from Dallas Baptist University in 2016.  In 1996, she received a full music scholarship to Sam Houston State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance. Mrs. H has 20 years of experience teaching private violin, viola, cello, and piano, as well as 7 years teaching elementary music and orchestra for the public school system.  Mrs. H has performed at hundreds of weddings, receptions, and parties with various string quartets, as well as orchestral events and churches all across Texas. Mrs. H loves music and teaching, and her favorite part of teaching is sharing her love of music with others.  She teaches utilizing a wide variety of techniques and methods, ranging from the Suzuki method to more traditional methods. Because of her diverse teaching background, she excels at teaching students of all ages: from the four year old beginning piano student to the advanced high school senior violinist.  Hundreds of her private students have made All-Region Orchestras, first division ratings at Solo/Ensemble, and even first division ratings at the State Solo/Ensemble contest.  Some of Mrs. H's former students have continued in their musical pursuits to become professional musicians. 

Whether you're looking for a traditional Suzuki method experience or just want to fiddle around, we can work together to make playing cello a great experience for you. In person or over Skype. Young and young at heart welcome.

You will be provided a personal plan for learning cello! Especially for beginners, learning step by step is really important. I will prepare the paper I design for you personally and let you know cello as fast as you can.

I have over 7 years of experience teaching private lessons in addition to teaching seminars on songwriting and music business at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts and SUNY JCC. I teach both online and in-person lessons at my studio in Nashville and offer 30, 45 and 60 minute lessons. I have played over 1,000 shows, both solo and as an auxiliary musician for other touring acts. I performed on over 30 albums and have composed for radio, television, and internet video series, including sharing the stage with members of the 10,000 Maniacs. I've been featured in The New York Times, on the CBS Evening News, and on NPR. While each student is different, I do generally start everyone on either Suzuki or the Essential Elements books. As one of my old teachers said, “I'm not teaching you how to play cello, I'm teaching you how to teach yourself how to play cello.” This is something I strive for. Students will not only learn technical skills( how to play their instrument, read music, understand theory) but also learn about themselves, develop their own voices in and out of the musical world. Whether your 9 year old child wants to play in the symphony when they grow up, or you've just retired at 65 and want to play heavy metal cello all ages and goals are welcome.

After graduating from the Juilliard School of Music I played with the New Jersey Symphony for 3 years and then moved to Switzerland where I was Principal cellist with the Beil Orchestra. I have spent 30 years teaching cello with good success. I enjoying helping students getting better. I teach the rudiments of the bow arm, bow grip and how to change the direction of the bow.