Sunnyside, NY Cello Lessons

Vermeer Quartet. From 2012 to 2014, Michael served as principal cellist of the Symphony Orchestra at Hunter College while concurrently earning a Masters degree in Music Education. He graduated with summa cum laude honors in 2014 and began his teaching career with the New York City Department of Education later that year.

At present, Michael is director of Orchestral activities at P.S. 205 Clarion in Brooklyn N.Y. and principal cellist of the Riverside Orchestra on the upper west side of Manhattan. He runs a full private teaching studio and actively gigs in and around the greater New York City area. He has also played in numerous master classes for world renowned cellists such as Lynn Harrell and Andres Diaz, and has had the privilege of working with esteemed conductors such as Marietta Cheng of the Southern Finger Lakes Orchestra, Paul Hostetter, Chair of Orchestral Activities for the Schwob School of Music, and Rueben Blundell, current Conductor and Music Director of the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, the Hunter Symphony and the Riverside Orchestra.

While Michael does enjoy a busy academic and teaching schedule, he believes that part of the joy of being a working musician is having the ability to share his love of music with others, something he feels both honored and privileged to be able to do.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching philosophy is one that tailors to the specific needs, interests and abilities of each individual. Throughout my years of private instruction, I have learned that no two individuals learn and/or think the same way. Thus, for some students I have found the Suzuki method to be highly effective, while for others I have been more comprehensive with my instruction, incorporated scales, etudes, sonatas, concerti and Bach suites for a more well rounded approach. Regardless of the methodology employed, all of my students will attest that I set clear and high expectations for every lesson, yet am very understanding, friendly and approachable right from the start. My goal is to provide every individual with the tools necessary for becoming a well-rounded musician, so that they too can share their love for music with others.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two music stands and chairs.

*** Specialties ***
While I do specialize in classical instruction, I am able to instruct students in a variety of genres, including Jazz, Pop, and alternative rock. In addition, I tend to tailor my lessons to the needs of my students. If they are more comfortable learning by rote, then this is how I tend to instruct. My lessons are loosely structured by beginning with scales, moving on to etudes, then finishing with Bach suites, a sonata and/or a concerto.

njoyable experience too! We will work together to ensure that you or your child are learning pieces that interest you and inspire you to reach the next level. By the end of each lesson you will know what to work on for the week and exactly how to practice in order to achieve the most effective results.

Students will learn the fundamentals of music theory and history while focusing on improving their technical facility on the cello. Students also work towards building their comfort with the instrument by practicing increasingly complex exercises and repertoire. Each lesson students practice ear-training and sight-reading so they are prepared for auditions and can learn music more quickly.

Lessons will be age appropriate, highly interactive, and geared towards your/ your child's personal goals as an aspiring cellist.

*** Equipment ***
For lessons at my home, students only need to bring their instrument and their current repertoire.

For lessons at the student's home, students need to provide their own instrument, a music stand, 2 chairs, and the repertoire we are working on. I will bring my own instrument to lessons.

I can assist you in renting a cello if you do not already have one.

. He has performed in various venues in the Tri-State area, including concerto performances with the Hartford Symphony, Farmington Valley Symphony and Musica Dolce Ensemble, and solo and chamber performances in Asia and Europe. He is an avid chamber musician, having performed with the Enao Ensemble in chamber concerts to benefit the charity, the Bishop’s Fund for Children, from 2000-2010, was the cellist and founding member of the Lorelei Piano Trio and has been a member of several other chamber music ensembles. As a free-lance cellist, he has performed with many diverse ensembles, accompanying the musical, “Time Between Us” in the New York Musical Theater Festival, appearing with the band, The Left Banke, playing with Ensemble 212 and Shattered Glass. In addition to performing, he is on the faculty of the Zen Music School, Port Jefferson Music Academy and coaches chamber music for Jeunes Virtuoses de New York, as well as teaching privately. He is also the artistic director of Concerts on the Slope, a chamber music series in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and the Artist-in-Residence for Music at Trinity of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx.

Mr. L. has performed at several summer music festivals including the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Castleman’s Quartet Program, Music at Menlo and Pacific Music Festival, and has won top prizes in several competitions. His chamber music mentors have included members of the Emerson, Tokyo, American and Keller String Quartets, as well as Robert Mann, Nicholas Mann, Peter Frankl, Andre Michel Schub, and Daniel Epstein, Sylvia Rosenberg and several others. He has taken master classes with Keith Robinson and Colin Carr, and past teachers include Eric Dahlin, David Finckel, Julia Lichten and Clive Greensmith, as well as lessons with Marta Casals Istomin and Bonnie Hampton.

As an orchestral musician he has performed with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, the Empire State Sinfonia, the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, the Salome Chamber Orchestra in New York City, and the Farmington Valley Symphony, as well as the Manhattan School of Music orchestras. Mr. L. holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Manhattan School of Music, where he was the recipient of the Hans and Klara Bauer Scholarship and the 2011 Pablo Casals Award.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect my students to have an instrument, method books (after I recommend one), a suitable arm less chair and music stand. I can travel anywhere public transportation can take me. (NYC or nearby New Jersey)

*** Specialties ***
I am familiar with, though not trained or certified in, Suzuki method, but I teach traditionally, often using the Suzuki and String Builder books, with an emphasis on reading music.

her countless opportunities to perform, to participate in event planning, and to experiment with new music and arranging. She grew up participating in her mother's studio recitals at home and enjoys an annual family tradition of organizing and performing Christmas programs at church. One of Catherine's projects during her studies at the Manhattan School of Music was the Symposium Concert Series, which has led her to perform in apartment homes around the city and build a community of young artists. She has made countless arrangements for solo viola and viola with various ensembles which she often performs.

Catherine resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, Lawrence. She plays on a Raymond J. Melanson viola made in 1987.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm able to travel to the student's home or teach at my home. Parents are welcome to sit in the lesson.

*** Studio Equipment ***
N/A

*** Specialties ***
Patience