cellochan | CelloChan Chat Blog -- Cello Lessons for Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline, and Washtenaw County

Just click on the Green Print and go to CelloChanChat, the cellochan blog! It is a place for cellochan students and others to share comments and enjoy exploring new ways to think about the art of cello playing. The cellochan philosophy maintains that all facets of a student need careful attention if the best results are to be achieved. Relaxation, meditation, peer support, and a foundation of self acceptance make a huge difference in the overall level reached in playing. Music, Mind, and Body are essentially one. We welcome you to the discussion.

PRESS RELEASE * CelloChanWoods 2009 * A unique arts camp 2008-11-19

CelloChanWoods is a retreat style music camp designed to help cellists access a deeper sense of well-being, self -Acceptance, physical relaxation, and cellistic excellence. Last years pilot day camp was a great success and is returning this summer as an overnight camp that will run from July 27-July 30, 2009 at the Howell Nature Center in Michigan. CCW creates an opportunity for a special type of community by combining the traditional fun of summer camp in the afternoon and a more focused, retreat like atmosphere during the morning. The counselor to student ratio of one to five , with a total enrollment of 16 cellists means campers will receive our total attention and have the best experience possible. Campers will learn gentle centering meditation, receive daily unobtrusive Trager*/relaxation sessions, supervised practice sessions, and more. A daily master class in the late morning given b Suzanne allows students to learn from each other in a mutually supportive, low key atmosphere. Our cellist counselors will also join cellists in the cello ensemble, which will rehearse in the afternoons. And there will be ample time for fun, camaraderie, and supervised outdoor activities after lunch. These activities will include a voluntary high ropes course; hiking, swimming, and a game of capture the flag one evening! Our final day will include a concert, potluck supper, and evening swim with families invited to participate. We welcome you to be part of this unique arts experience!

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A counselor's experience of CelloChanWoods 08 2008-09-07

By Caitlin, a graduate of Pioneer High School and presently an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College in Mass.

The CelloChanWoods Experience

It is difficult to remember the precise feeling I experienced at the beginning of day 1, but I do know how nervous I was. I doubted myself, particularly my ability to instruct others in the art of making music. Would I be able to give constructive advice? What if I told them something "wrong"? What if I have trouble with rhythm? I do know, however, that I experienced none of these feelings come Day 3. I believe every aspect of the retreat helped theses feelings to dissipate, and to be replaced with confidence, patience, and focus. I found the meditation provided fitting bookends to the day. I felt rejuvenated following the morning meditation, ready for the day's work, while the afternoon meditation helped clarify so many things, without actually thinking about them. As one who obsessively- compulsively goes over and over things in her head, it was a welcome, and exciting change. This new approach to thinking helped both my playing, and my teaching. Every day it became a little easier to let frustrations go, and for lack of a better way to say it, just go with the flow. If a note was played that I didn't particularly like, I would ask myself how I could make it better, rather than punishing myself for an imperfection. In my ten years of playing the cello, never have I been able to do that.

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cellochan accepting new students * Lessons begin Sept 8, 2008 2008-08-20

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"No angles, one finger at a time, and NOT at the frog." Janos Starker
cellochan blog Just click on the Green Print and go to CelloChanChat, the cellochan blog! It is a place for cellochan students and others to share comments and enjoy exploring new ways to think about the art of cello playing. The cellochan philosophy maintains that all facets of a student need careful attention if the best results are to be achieved. Relaxation, meditation, peer support, and a foundation of self acceptance make a huge difference in the overall level reached in playing. Music, Mind, and Body are essentially one. We welcome you to the discussion. PRESS RELEASE * CelloChanWoods 2009 * A unique arts camp 2008-11-19 CelloChanWoods is a retreat style music camp designed to help cellists access a deeper sense of well-being, self -Acceptance, physical relaxation, and cellistic excellence. Last years pilot day camp was a great success and is returning this summer as an overnight camp that will run from July 27-July 30, 2009 at the Howell Nature Center in Michigan. CCW creates an opportunity for a special type of community by combining the traditional fun of summer camp in the afternoon and a more focused, retreat like atmosphere during the morning. The counselor to student ratio of one to five , with a total enrollment of 16 cellists means campers will receive our total attention and have the best experience possible. Campers will learn gentle centering meditation, receive daily unobtrusive Trager/relaxation sessions, supervised practice sessions, and more. A daily master class in the late morning given b Suzanne allows students to learn from each other in a mutually supportive, low key atmosphere. Our cellist counselors will also join cellists in the cello ensemble, which will rehearse in the afternoons. And there will be ample time for fun, camaraderie, and supervised outdoor activities after lunch. These activities will include a voluntary high ropes course; hiking, swimming, and a game of capture the flag one evening! Our final day will include a concert, potluck supper, and evening swim with families invited to participate. We welcome you to be part of this unique arts experience! more... A counselor's experience of CelloChanWoods 08 2008-09-07 By Caitlin, a graduate of Pioneer High School and presently an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College in Mass. The CelloChanWoods Experience It is difficult to remember the precise feeling I experienced at the beginning of day 1, but I do know how nervous I was. I doubted myself, particularly my ability to instruct others in the art of making music. Would I be able to give constructive advice? What if I told them something "wrong"? What if I have trouble with rhythm? I do know, however, that I experienced none of these feelings come Day 3. I believe every aspect of the retreat helped theses feelings to dissipate, and to be replaced with confidence, patience, and focus. I found the meditation provided fitting bookends to the day. I felt rejuvenated following the morning meditation, ready for the day's work, while the afternoon meditation helped clarify so many things, without actually thinking about them. As one who obsessively- compulsively goes over and over things in her head, it was a welcome, and exciting change. This new approach to thinking helped both my playing, and my teaching. Every day it became a little easier to let frustrations go, and for lack of a better way to say it, just go with the flow. If a note was played that I didn't particularly like, I would ask myself how I could make it better, rather than punishing myself for an imperfection. In my ten years of playing the cello, never have I been able to do that. more... cellochan accepting new students Lessons begin Sept 8, 2008 2008-08-20 more...	home about cellochan blog testimonials events contact

cellochan * suzanne smith * 2113 alice st. * ann arbor, michigan 48103 * (734)662-2325