Lauren Hele

I tailor my lessons to suit every individual student's expectations and ambitions.

For students learning just for fun, I can teach them a piece they like to play for someone, like a famous rock or pop song, disney tune, a piece from a musical, or a movie theme. I can also teach them to play a simple cello duet.

For people taking cello playing more seriously, I can teach more challenging repertoire, like a concerto or sonata, orchestral excerpts, a study or etude. I can also prepare my students for ABRSM exams, orchestral auditions, competitions, medal awards, schools presentations, performances for masterclasses, recital assessments and anything formal.

I also teach things open to all pupils. These vary from technical work such as scales, sight reading, aurals, improvisation, and call and response games, to preparing pieces for big events like weddings, birthdays, Christmas concerts, charity events, and memorial events.

First lessons involve teaching how to hold the cello and bow, posture, how to read open notes, rhythms and counting and learning very easy pieces or duets where the student plays open notes under a melody I play. I also teach how to tune the strings using the pegs and adjusters, how to adjust the spike, and how to position the cello and spike, tightening and loosening the bow, and setting up a music stand.

Following the first lesson, the lesson will focus on how to place the finger on the strings, vibrato, bow angling with the string, and learning more pieces depending on the student's ability and how fast they learn.