Cello Teacher & Cellist
Cello Lessons
Del Ray Alexandria, Virginia
All Ages and Abilities Welcome
Whether you are looking for a private tutor to supplement your child’s musical education, or you’re an adult who always wanted to play cello but never had the opportunity to learn, you are welcome here. Stark Cello Alexandria offers in-person cello lessons in Del Ray/Alexandria, Virginia. I can accommodate requests for virtual lessons, but I do not advise them as a replacement for in-person lessons, especially for the cello novice or beginner student.
I have been teaching cello students of all ages and abilities for over a decade.
My Teaching Philosophy
Years ago, I was fortunate to meet the legendary conductor, Eiji Oue. He offered this piece of wisdom: Don’t ever question why you play music. This has stuck with me through the long, hard road of re-learning how to play the cello after an injury to my hand, and is still with me today as a cello teacher. Regardless of whether the goal is professional or pleasure, learning an instrument—especially cello, although I might be biased!—is well worth putting in the work.
Learning cello requires patience from the student, the parent, and the teacher. I have found in my private teaching that sometimes a student or a parent may need a few extra minutes from time to time just to wrap their brain around an idea. I know from my own experiences as a student that the little extra personal time a teacher would give me made a huge difference in my education. At Stark Cello Alexandria, there is no rush on moving forward before the student is really and truly ready.
I am passionate about sharing my love of music with others, helping them develop their own appreciation and love of music, and teaching them good technical skills so they are able to express themselves through their instrument.
About
Jonathan Stark
I was born and raised in Northfield, Minnesota, an idyllic town renowned for its love of music. My mother played piano and believed all children should learn an instrument. She instilled a deep love for music in me early on, taking me to the Minneapolis Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. I have dabbled in guitar and piano, but cello is my true love.
My cello studies have taken me to three colleges in two different states. I began at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire before transferring to Baldwin-Wallace College and Conservatory of Music in Ohio, where I received a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance. I then continued my studies at Cleveland State University, where I received a Masters of Music in Cello Perforamce.
