Catherine Black "cello teacher & cello courses & cello workshops"

Cello teacher & cello course maker

"In brief: I'm a Royal College of Music graduate. I have had a lot of variety in my career and have worked as a free-lance orchestral player, in cabaret, in a string group, with pop groups as a session musician, as an author and course creator... but first and last, I'm a teacher."

"My passion is the cello and all things to do with it. I love playing it for myself and for others. I love teaching others to share this passion."

Teaching the cello

"I teach children, teenagers and adults from very varied backgrounds & with a wide range of skill levels. Some have had learning difficulties such as dyspraxia and dyslexia. I teach all pupils how to read so they can play with others as soon as possible"

"I have found that strong technique is vital. But I also encourage my students to develop their own 'musical voice' and to use it in the way that gives them the most satisfaction."

"One pupil is combining cello playing with his circus performance and another is a folk musician. Others are playing in orchestras, chamber groups and pop groups of various kinds. I love this mixture."

Cello workshops

The idea behind cellocourses.com is you, the whole cellist and your development. What we offer is open to cellists of all ages and abilities.

The two workshops address your key areas of development as an instrumentalist and musician - our practice and performance. We all need to put a spotlight on what is and isn't happening both inside and outside ourselves. We don't "practice" in our lessons, nor can we really "perform" in them, but we certainly need to learn about how to develop both of these skills. Students are now returning to both of these classes.

The Practice workshops are graded according to your age and level of achievement. We have no grading system in the Performance workshop though. If you want to learn more, come!

Cello Courses

There are two courses:

Unsung Heroes Cello Ensemble Course and Workshops appeal to teenagers and adults. Last year's Summer Course mixed students from the age of 13 to their 50's. At the last 1 - day workshop some had been playing for 30 years, others a matter of months. This works because the writing allows for this.

The new cellists were surprised at seeing themselves playing in an ensemble so soon. They thought it would be years before they could join a group. It is just this notion that was behind the idea: as a teacher, I wanted my students to play fabulous music as soon as possible with others. Here's the answer! Take a look at what students have said about this course on the Ensemble Page.

Inside Out aims to help primarily GCSE students with their composition skills, but has had enquiries from people just wanting to develop their writing regardless of exams.

So take a good look and if you have any questions, do get in touch with me.

'Getting the bigger picture' - performance

'Thinking Aloud' - practice

'Unsung Heroes' - ensemble

'Inside out' - GCSE Music Composition