Cello with Christopher M.

Christopher’s approach to teaching is empathetic and courteous, emphasizing body awareness and building a strong technical foundation. In the first few lessons, he aims to form an assessment of the student’s playing experience and to outline a set of goals for a sense of structure. Christopher also inquires with the student their musical interests, assigning repertoire that fits their technical needs but is both enjoyable and challenging. In addition, he strives to provide a well-rounded experience that allows the student to relate their musical pursuits with cultural, social, and historical events. He typically assigns scale exercises, etudes, and duets in addition to solo cello suites, sonatas, concerti, and other pieces in the standard cello and orchestral repertoire. Christopher is comfortable teaching beginning, intermediate and advanced levels and encourages students of all ages to reach out for starting lessons. At the moment, he is providing lessons at the student’s home, though is willing to make reasonable accommodations if needed. Christopher began playing the cello at the age of nine. Born in Chicago, he studied with Timothy Archbold, former assistant principal of the Peoria Symphony. In the fall of 2012, Christopher went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance at the Boston Conservatory, where he studied with Andrew Mark. During his undergrad, he was a founding member of the Dracard Quartet, who became the honors ensemble for the Boston Conservatory for the 2015-2016 academic year. They were awarded the first prize in the Senior Chamber Music division of the Massachusetts American String Teacher Association String Competition as well as performing in the Museum of Fine Arts’ Sound Bite Series in Boston. Christopher has also performed in masterclasses with Colin Carr, Levon Chilingarian, Joseph Silverstein, Rhonda Rider, and Tony Arnold. While in Boston he had the opportunity to sit principal cello with the MIT Chamber Choir and Orchestra in the fall of 2015. In addition, Christopher has performed in principal and assistant principal roles with the Boston Conservatory’s Baroque Ensemble, Opera Orchestra, Sinfonietta and Symphonic Orchestra. After graduating from the Boston Conservatory, he moved back to the Chicagoland area to be closer to family, and to pursue freelance opportunities. Christopher’s goal is to build a studio in the coming years, teaching all ages and levels. In his spare time, Christopher enjoys reading, cooking, walking his dogs, playing videogames, and visiting with friends and family.