cellochan is a unique program for cellists created by Director/Teacher Suzanne Smith. It represents a coming together of her life experience, teaching, 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 activities are designed to enhance the private lesson and can be found on the activities and events calendar. Some of these include: frequent performance opportunities, master classes, cello ensemble, and home concerts. * We have recently created a cello retreat/camp called "CelloChanWoods" with the theme of well-being and the arts that took place July 15 through 17 the summer of 2008. You may learn more about it on this site.

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, self-acceptance, 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.

We extend a warm welcome to you to join the fun and become part of the cellochan family!" ~ Suzanne