
Nicholas H.

Teaching Locations:


Teaching Locations:


Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedAbout Nicholas H.
Nicholas is a professional cellist that has studied since the age of 9. He has now been teaching the cello, viola, and violin for over a decade for students of all ages, beginner to pre-college level.
Throughout Nicholas’s career, he has been an active member of Honors Orchestras, Youth Symphonies, Chamber ensembles, Opera Symphonies, and his university’s symphony. His music consists of mostly a classical nature with some contemporary and popular music ensembles.
Nicholas trained for three years in college under the renowned cellist Martha Gerschefski, whose accomplishments are too many to list. He also trained under Christopher Rex, the principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Nicholas now holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance at Georgia State University.
Reviews
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I like the fact that Nicholas took the time to explain what the lesson will look like in great detail.

My child is super happy taking lessons. I've heard a drastic improvement, especially considering she wasn't even able to make a sound on her instrument at first. She really enjoys her lessons.


I started with no experience at all, and with Nicholas as my teacher I learned not only how to read music but I can play a few pieces of music! I would 10/10 recommend picking him as your instructor.

He was great! Made us feel comfortable as beginners to the instrument and helped direct us to the best sized violin for my daughters height and arms length.

Nicholas was very patient with my son and is ensuring he is using correct technique. He was willing to answer my questions on ways I can support and tools to ensure my son is growing in his cello skills.


Nicholas was very professional. I've been playing cello for 13 years and have played in many community symphonies. I've never had a private lesson and just learned what I was taught in grad school. Although I was skeptical on online lessons, Nicholas has already shown me some bad habits i have and how to break them and we're already moving on to some hard stuff. I'm excited to where my next 9 lessons will take me. Perhaps even with more lessons on the way. Thanks Nicholas!

Nicholas is amazing! He knows how to really explain the viola so that my 10 year-old understands. He’s also very kind.

I am an adult contemplating learning cello as a new hobby. Nicholas was very nice and answered all of my questions. I am looking forward to starting regular lessons with Nicholas.

I learned all kinds of things I never knew about my posture, bow hold, and bowing. I am further excited to continue to practice and learn more from Nicholas. I am an adult learner returning to cello after 20 years.


Very patient with my 7 year old.
Nicholas was very patient with my daughter and very thorough. We had two lessons at his apartment then moved online.

We love Mr. Heaton. My son is 13 and on the autism spectrum and so focus can be hard for him, he was really struggling in school based orchestra because they couldn't give him one on one attention. He also struggles with fine motor delays (which is why we chose a string instrument). We've been doing lessons with Nicholas for almost a year now. Nicholas always takes his time with my child and is extremely patient. My son has gained SO much confidence since we began taking these private lessons. They work on not just learning to play cello but learning how to really understand/read the music and making sure that the techniques he's learning (hand positions, ways of sitting and moving) are all exactly what he needs to progress successfully in his orchestra and going forward. My son enjoys his lessons and I feel like we always get our money's worth. I can't wait to see where he will be another year from now working so closely with such an amazing musician and teacher.

Nicholas, was great! He made sure my daughter understood everything and was easy to understand.

Nicholas has been a great guide to my revisiting the cello. It had been almost 30 years since my last lesson, and he has reminded and coached many skills I had forgotten, and has taught me new ways thinking and playing.

THREE THUMBS UP

He's really helpful


Fantastic teacher!!

way better than my current teacher

Great





This is my fourth lesson with Nicholas. He is patient, explains each concept, and corrects me when I am making a mistake. Learning with him till now had been a very good experience. I hope to make good progress in the coming months. Thanks.

Fantastic instructor, extremely patient and knowledgeable, highly recommend him.


Nicholas is professional, knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I am excited about future lessons!

Nicholas is a very professional and experienced teacher. I've learning cello from him about 4months for now and I found myself I enjoy the process a lot.


Excellent experience for my son. Nicholas is filling in many gaps for him and laying a foundation for his future. Highly recommended!


This was just our first lesson but Nicholas was great and the online format was easy and workable. There really is no need to be physically in the same room!

I’ve taken lessons from Nicholas for about a month now, and he’s a fantastic instructor. As an adult beginner, I appreciate how patient he is and he explains technique/fundamentals in a way I can understan. I definitely feel challenged, and I leave each lesson wanting to practice for the next lesson. He’s also provided a lot of guidance for purchasing a cello and bow. Awesome experience so far.

Very knowledgeable, clear instructions

My son had a very good experience; we had some technical issues in the beginning and Nicholas was very patient and stayed on with us to ensure that my son didn’t miss out on the class. I would definitely recommend Nicholas to my friends and on my local neighborhood Facebook page thankyou!

Nicholas was very detailed in his explanations, as well as, patient.

he is very helpful and he makes me a better violinist.

thank you for the lesson and now i know what i need to practice.

Wonderful teacher

went over where i left with last teacher. He also went over some foundational lessons .


This was my first music class and Nicholas explained all basics which is essential and looking forward

Nicholas is a great violin teacher. My son likes his teaching very much. Nicholas is very knowledge for the music he is teaching, and he provides great practice notes for every class. The practice notes is very helpful for my son.

Just had one leason. Very good experience.

FANTASTIC!!!

He is a great instructor. He explains everything from the basic. I will continue my lessons.

I was initially skeptical about taking online music lesson for my son. But Nicholas is very methodical and very attentive so that being online does not deter the lesson quality. Highly recommend him.

He is very professional and knowledgeable, always on time for each lesson. He was able to help me improve from the first lesson.

Nick is a very good teacher. I have been learning Violin from Nick for about 3 months now and things are progressing very well. I like the way Nick navigates through the lessons, by understanding the student's plus/minuses and progress.

Nicholas is very helpful and accommodating. I'm trying to learn this instrument while in grad school and would not be able to do so if not for Nicholas.

As an adult student, Nicholas is a fantastic instructor. He corrects technique rather than focusing on small mistakes (like a flubbed note). He's very easy to work with and challenges me each lesson so that I am never bored and never feel like I am wasting time working on perfecting a two note exercise because he pushes me to play further and further in the practice book. Absolutely the best experience for an adult student (any student, really).

Nicholas seems like a really nice person. This was our first lesson with my 11 year old son and I like how he interacts when giving instructions. He seems very patient and understanding. I will give update as lessons continue

a lot attention to detail and technique when playing violin. Great for daughter because until now she has been all about rushing and getting it over with.. Now it will be more about taking time with each piece and aim for perfection. Even tho she is going over pieces she already played she's not complaining.

Nick is an awesome instructor!

Great experience!

Nicholas is such an amazing teacher! He is very thorough and makes sure that you understand and learn everything properly. He goes at a pace that is perfect for me and tailors to your specific needs. I look forward continuing my lessons and highly recommend him!

Very friendly, knowledgably, easy going. I enjoyed the class and felt at ease. Can't wait for next weeks class.

Excellent first class.

SO happy with my first class - instead of treating me like a beginning 8 year old (I'm almost 30), he willingly focused on technique and accepted my word that I have read music before (I played piano for several years) instead of forcing me to read a treble clef to him. He also immediately addressed my most pressing concerns (such as bow hold) as I am trying to partially self teach in the interest of time and money using online lessons, etc. Focusing on technique instead of how to pizzicato a quarter note allows me to practice and his teaching style, telling me what mistakes I may be making and why I am making them as a beginner (too much pressure, too little, etc) really allows me to try and improve before the next lesson. I am INCREDIBLY happy with his flexibility and teaching style and will gladly continue taking lessons from him. Highly recommend, at least for the adult beginners like myself!

Nicholas is a wonderful teacher. He is very knowledgeable and patient. I have taken two lessons and look forward to many more.

Nicholas is an excellent teacher. He made our daughter feel at ease almost immediately and that's not always the simplest thing to do. After one class, we are already seeing an improvement and she's a more confident cellist.

Nicholas is an inspiring teacher who strives for excellence while focusing on the student's individual situation and needs. Beginning lessons as an adult with some musical experience with other instruments as a child and early teen, he has been able to build quickly on what I already knew, and "undo" improper technique which could have caused physical harm if continued. He is able to encourage and motivate in the difficult and frustrating moments common to all students.
I highly recommend Nicholas for any age or level student.

Nicholas began as my son's cello instructor when he was 10, and we are now beginning our third year under Nicholas' instruction. He has a very patient, quiet manner while teaching, though it is common to hear chuckles coming from the room during the lesson. Nicholas is himself an excellent musician, but he has very realistic expectations for his students. My son has made tremendous progress on the cello in a short time. Originally, we were in the same city with Nicholas, so the lessons occurred in our home. Recently, we moved out of state, and are thrilled that we can continue lessons with him online. Some of the things I have especially appreciated about him are his punctuality, being prompt and timely in his communications with us, and his willingness to work out scheduling details with us. Highly recommend Nicholas!
Photos & Videos
2 Photos & VideosExperience
String Instructor
Nov 2012 - PresentDallas Cultural Arts Center
Far to the northwest of Atlanta, a small studio. Started with 2 students and they still take from me to this day!
String Instructor
Aug 2012 - PresentLessons in Your Home
Teaching all around Atlanta areas in student's homes, an active roster of 10 or more students at near all times.
String Instructor
Aug 2008 - PresentPrivate Studio
My own personal studio, ranging from one cello student at the beginning to now a wide roster of cellists, violinists, and violists, some in Honors Orchestra, community Orchestras, and their own chamber ensembles.
Sectional Cellist
Aug 2009 - May 2014Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra
My University's Symphony Orchestra rehearsed three times a week for two hours per session, and had a concert roughly every month.
Sectional Cellist
Aug 2007 - May 2009Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra
Cellist with the top symphony in the Youth program for several years.
Education
Bachelor's in Music Performance
Aug 2009 - Jun 2014Georgia State University
High School Diploma
Aug 2005 - May 2009Harrison High School
Languages
English
Professional Proficiency
Awards
Gerschefski/Reader Cello Scholarship
Aug 2011Martha Gerschefski
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