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Karen D.
Somerville, Massachusetts
Cello lessons with a highly skilled musician and teacher
Cello: A bowed or plucked string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. The strings from low to high are generally tuned to C2, G2, D3 and A3, an octave lower than the viola. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin and viola and the double bass. The cello is used as a solo musical instrument, as well as in chamber music ensembles (e.g., string quartet), string orchestras, as a member of the string section of symphony orchestras, and some types of rock bands. It is the second-largest and second lowest (in pitch) bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, the double bass being the largest and having the lowest (deepest) pitch. My lessons always start out with the basics! We start out by learning notes by plucking the strings and then the bow is soon incorporated. The goal is to eventually learn all the notes on the fretboard and also learning how to read and play chords. As the student progresses advanced techniques are introduced, music theory and learning how to solo.
About Karen D.

Hi! My name is Karen D. I’ve had the pleasure of performing, singing, writing, and recording since I was seven years old. Besides being an Honor Graduate of Berklee School of Music, I have been a lifelong student of the international world-renowned instructors Dante Pavone and Charlie Banacos. Teaching for forty years (since 1982), along with my passion and diligence, these experiences have given me very in-depth knowledge and understanding of how music really works and the ability to teach all instruments. All it takes is Trust, Patience, Perseverance, and Practice. Truly, Karen D. Anyone Can Learn To Sing or Play Any Instrument With My Method! No End To How Good You Can Get! Vocal Therapist-Can Cure ALL Vocal Damage! Karen D. -Certified Teacher of the World Famous Dante Pavone Vocal Method -Honor Graduate of Berklee School of Music! -Winner of International World Contest for Meridan Records from over 300 Countries -Runner up in Ticketmaster Contest -Twenty Original Songs Placed in Movies -Written and Recorded Hundreds of Original Songs -Performer, Producer, Actress, Poet, Writer, Dancer, Entrepreneur -Teaches Song Writing, Ear Training, Theory, Arranging -Teaches Video Production and Editing -Teaches Audio Engineering It is completely untrue that some people are "born to sing or play an instrument" while others are not. With my expertise a person who believes they have no talent can learn any instrument, the most "tone deaf" can learn to sing perfectly in tune, and someone who thinks they have "no talent" can become better than anyone out there. I have a unique and very patient teaching style that makes learning any instrument seem easy! Anyone can learn! It all started out in a small town called Chatham, NJ where I spent the first thirteen years of my life. I remember loving music as early as I could walk and talk. I started taking guitar lessons when I was seven years old. Along with the guitar, came a love for singing and writing my own songs. When we moved to Pennsylvania the guitar came with me. Throughout my high school years, I spent hours playing with teachers, fellow students, and parties. When I was sixteen every week for three years I would drive an hour into Philadelphia, by myself, to study with world-famous Artie Singer. His students include such names as Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Al Martino, and Bobby Rydel. Artie co-wrote and produced two massive hit records “At the Hop” and “Rock ‘n Roll is Here to Stay,” both recorded by Danny and the Juniors. While going to a Community College in Philadelphia the music teacher there took notice of me, pulled me aside, and told me about a great music school I should attend. He then sent away the application and helped me fill it out. The next thing I knew I was in Boston attending Berklee School of Music! I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Jazz and Rock Composition, Arranging, and Guitar. I had originally gone to Berklee intending to major in voice. However, I had no luck with the vocal department there and ended up with nodules on my vocal cords. The damage was so significant that I had to stop singing during my four years at Berklee and turned to study Guitar and Composition. I tried every vocal teacher in town wanting more than anything to be a singer. What I found was no teacher could help me and it seemed obvious that even though they had the “big name” they didn't know what they wt. I was losing hope. The combination of this roadblock and my persistence led me to the greatest thing that ever happened in my life....... I met Dante Pavone! I kept hearing about a singing teacher named Dante Pavone. Since I had already tried everyone else, I decided to give him a shot.

Teaches Beginner

Teaching since 1980

Rock and Jazz Composition and Arranging

Teaches ages 3+

Speaks English

Has background check

Instructor details
Subject: Cello
Accordion
Acoustic Guitar
Arrangement and Composition
Audio Engineering
Audition Prep
Bagpipes
Banjo
Baroque Flute
Bass Clarinet
Bass Guitar
Bass Trombone
Bassoon
Bluegrass Guitar
Blues Guitar
Bodhran
Bongo
Broadway Singing
Bugle
Cello
Celtic Flute
Christian Gospel
Clarinet
Classical Guitar
Classical Piano
Classical Voice
Composition
Concertina
Conducting
Conga Drums
Country Guitar
Country Singing
Didgeridoo
Djembe
Dobro Guitar
Drums
Dulcimer
Ear Training
Electric Guitar
Erhu
Euphonium
Fiddle
Flamenco Guitar
Flugelhorn
Flute
French Horn
Gospel Singing
Guitar
Guzheng
Hand Drums
Harmonica
Harp
Hip Hop & Rap
Jazz Voice
Kazoo
Logic Pro Software
Lute
Mandolin
Mariachi
Marimba
Music Performance
Music Recording
Music Theory
Music Therapy
Musical Theater
Oboe
Ocarina
Opera Voice
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Piccolo
Saxophone
Singing
Sitar
Songwriting
Steel Drums
Synthesizer
Tabla
Tin Whistle
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Ukulele
Upright Bass
Viola
Violin
Vocal Training
Xylophone
Teaches 10+ subjects. Different subjects may have different prices.
Location:
Teacher's Studio
Teacher's Studio
SEE MAP
Franklin Street
Teaches Online
Teaches Online
Work hours
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
30 minutes
$40
45 minutes
$60
60 minutes
$75
90 minutes
$120
120 minutes
$150
New Student Special
First 3 lessons
$30
Photos & videos6 photos & videos
ReviewsWrite a review
4.4
38 Reviews
5Review Star
79%
4Review Star
5%
3Review Star
3%
2Review Star
5%
1Review Star
8%
Teacher's Studio

Karen is brillant, professional, and stellar at expaining fundamentals and best practices. I feel so blessed to be able to work with her!

Posted Mar 15, 2023
Teacher's Studio

Karen is an excellent teacher. Very clear. Great method and a fun teacher.

Posted Feb 15, 2023
Online

Karen obviously loves the piano & guitar. She’s probably an excellent teacher for those instruments. Why do I say that? That’s what she talked about! She spent half my lesson trying to convince me to learn one of those instruments. Could work on listening skills! Not even sure if she owns a set of bongos herself. Didn’t start teaching me anything until last 10 min & then I had to leave early anyway. So 50 min out of 60 and about 5 I actually learned a few things I could have been practicing for at least 30 min of class. Use her if you want to learn something else other than bongos.

Posted Nov 18, 2021
...
Master Teacher
Jun 1982 - Present
Karen D. Voice and Instrument School
Teaching World Famous Method Since 1982
Rock and Jazz Composition and Arranging
Sep 1979 - Jun 1982
Berklee School of Music
Bachelor Of Music Magna Cum Laude
Sep 1979 - Jun 1982
Berklee School Of Music
English
Native Proficiency
Magna Cum Laude Bachelor Degree / Certified by World Famous Voice Teacher Dante Pavone
Jun 1982
Berklee School Of Music / Dante Pavone World Famous Method
Honor Graduate of Berklee School Of Music Emerson College for Action Studied with Famous Charlie Banacos Dante Pavone World Famous Vocal Teacher passed his Method down to me and have been teaching since 1980 Cure ALL vocal damage / Can teach ANYONE to sing Or play ANY instrument
Grand Prize Winner
May 1988
Meridian Records
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Apr 1989
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 480,000 US composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. The ASCAP is committed to nurturing music makers throughout their careers.

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Instructor details
Subject: Cello
Accordion
Acoustic Guitar
Arrangement and Composition
Audio Engineering
Audition Prep
Bagpipes
Banjo
Baroque Flute
Bass Clarinet
Bass Guitar
Bass Trombone
Bassoon
Bluegrass Guitar
Blues Guitar
Bodhran
Bongo
Broadway Singing
Bugle
Cello
Celtic Flute
Christian Gospel
Clarinet
Classical Guitar
Classical Piano
Classical Voice
Composition
Concertina
Conducting
Conga Drums
Country Guitar
Country Singing
Didgeridoo
Djembe
Dobro Guitar
Drums
Dulcimer
Ear Training
Electric Guitar
Erhu
Euphonium
Fiddle
Flamenco Guitar
Flugelhorn
Flute
French Horn
Gospel Singing
Guitar
Guzheng
Hand Drums
Harmonica
Harp
Hip Hop & Rap
Jazz Voice
Kazoo
Logic Pro Software
Lute
Mandolin
Mariachi
Marimba
Music Performance
Music Recording
Music Theory
Music Therapy
Musical Theater
Oboe
Ocarina
Opera Voice
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Piccolo
Saxophone
Singing
Sitar
Songwriting
Steel Drums
Synthesizer
Tabla
Tin Whistle
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Ukulele
Upright Bass
Viola
Violin
Vocal Training
Xylophone
Teaches 10+ subjects. Different subjects may have different prices.
Location:
Teacher's Studio
Teacher's Studio
SEE MAP
Franklin Street
Teaches Online
Teaches Online
Work hours
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
30 minutes
$40
45 minutes
$60
60 minutes
$75
90 minutes
$120
120 minutes
$150
New Student Special
First 3 lessons
$30