Cello Lessons in Destrehan. Amazing Teachers.

First and foremost, it is so important for me to get to know you and your musical interests (favorite songs, artists or bands). Once I know a little bit more about you and where your musical interests are, I help you build goals based on what you’d like to accomplish...that could be anything from “just wanting to learn something new and to have fun” to “playing my sister’s favorite song at her wedding in 3 months” or “to join an orchestra and make it my professional goal”. My style of teaching over the last 25 years incorporates technique, reading music, ear training, and improvisation. In addition to the violin, I teach viola, cello and piano/keyboard. The genres I love to teach are classical, rock, pop, jazz, film/tv music, and fiddle!

Isaiah is a passionate instructor and brings his love of the cello and performance to students of all ages and backgrounds. Ensuring that each of his students receives a highly individualized learning experience, Isaiah spends a great deal of time creating unique plans of study for each pupil. He strives to make lessons engaging, fast-paced, and exciting. Isaiah has worked for several non-profit arts organizations, youth orchestras, and school systems teaching the cello, all the while maintaining a sizable private cello studio. He has taken advanced coursework in music pedagogy, teaching artistry, and Alexander Technique, incorporating modern techniques as well as practices from the rich history of cello tutelage into his teaching methods. Signing up for private lessons is both an investment and a commitment. Isaiah works hard to make this investment as worthwhile, exciting, convenient, and affordable as possible.

I am an experienced strings teacher with 25 years of experience. I will work with beginning cello students of all ages and provide instruction on proper technique, position, reading music and playing the cello. I am patient and provide constructive feedback and work at your pace.

As a teacher, I have worked with the whole gamut of students. I have served as the undergraduate cello instructor at Stony Brook University, worked with many young beginners, adult amateurs, as well as anyone in between. I enjoy the challenge of finding the best path for each student, carefully considering their strengths, weaknesses, and particular interests to design a curriculum that best serves their goals and predilections. I recently moved to Oakland, California, and am currently expanding my cello and gamba studio.

I am a professional cellist with years of performing and teaching.
I attended the Jacobs School of Music for my undergraduate and masters' degrees and was a graduate teaching assistant. I also received my Stott Pilates Teaching Certification while at IU and incorporate postural alignment into my teaching. I have Suzuki certification and work on a strong technical foundation, which both facilitates performing and frees us up to explore non-traditional techniques and other genres.

Most importantly, I strive to nurture the love and passion for music and cello and I am here to help you achieve your musical goals.

When I was 16 years old, I attended a pop music concert and the band had a cello. Hearing that beautiful and deep sound paralyzed me. I was delighted and knew from that moment that I wanted to start taking lessons, learn how to play, and become a cellist. It was love at first sight!
I'm from Portugal. I was pursuing a DMA in cello performance and I did a minor degree in cello pedagogy. I have been teaching for around 12 years (students of all ages and levels).