cellochan is a unique program for cellists created fifteen years ago by Director/Teacher Suzanne Smith. It represents a coming together of her life experience in addition to teaching the cello and performing for almost thirty years. The program provides an especially supportive and enjoyable environment for study while pursuing excellence, personal fulfillment, and artistic growth. The surrounding optional services offer students frequent performance opportunities and other activities in addition to private lessons. cellochan events are designed to reflect the cellochan mission statement below.

Playing the cello involves all facets of a person: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. From one perspective, music is a kind of language of the self. Finding our musical "voice" can open us up to greater levels of awareness and personal satisfaction. In fact, music can bring enjoyment on so many levels that there is truly something for everyone regardless of age or level. Students in cellochan come to value and understand their unique learning styles and clarify their cellistic goals. Pablo Casals, one of the greatest of teachers, once said, "I always practiced as if I had forever."

The word Chan comes from the word Ch'an, meaning insight. The three parts of the cellochan mission statement are mutually reinforcing with the sum being greater than the parts.

"The best way to describe cellochan is to say that it is the cello program I wish I'd had as a young cellist. We extend a warm welcome to you to join the fun and become part of the cellochan family!" ~ Suzanne