The Yellow Cello Teaching Studio
“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning”
— Plato
Lucy is a passionate educator, and her approach to teaching is based on instilling a love for learning and the arts.
Lucy believes that learning an instrument sparks imagination, ignites creativity and encourages individuality. Her creative approach has made her in demand as a teacher, guiding students on their cello journey from beginner to advanced levels. Lucy held the position of Lead Teaching Artist at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s flagship education program, The Pizzicato Effect, where she had the joy of starting students off on their music journey, and being a part of a wonderful team of teachers who were passionate about the benefits of music education and group learning. Lucy has also taught in a variety of similar programs such as ‘Harmony in Strings’ at Sacred Heart Primary School and Crashendo! at Laverton College. Lucy has also held teaching positions at schools around Melbourne and Sydney including Tara Anglican School for Girls, Haileybury, Glenaeon Steiner School, Ivanhoe Primary School and Ballarat Clarendon College.
Lucy is a holistic educator and believes that learning an instrument requires nurturing the heart, mind and spirit of each individual. She blends a range of pedagogical methods to suit each student and her knowledge of anatomy from her yoga study has enabled her to develop an approach that helps students play the cello in the most natural and organic way. She incorporates improvisation into lessons to encourage students to develop their creativity and own musical style, and students engage with meaningful music-making right from the start of their journey. Lucy encourages all students to set goals, overcome personal challenges, develop resilience and aim for excellence and is experienced in taking students through AMEB exams.
Lucy welcomes and thoroughly enjoys having adult beginners in her teaching studio. As a lifelong learner herself, she understands the challenges and joys that learning a new skill can bring, and encourages all students to learn cello for enjoyment!
The Yellow Cello Studio is based in Ballarat. Online lessons are available for students who live outside the area.
Ready to learn cello?
I can help with questions about buying or renting a cello. Please contact me via the button below if you or your child is interested in starting your cello journey!
Testimonials
I have always wanted to play the cello and now as I am approaching retirement I have the time to do so at last. Finding such an excellent teacher in regional Victoria has been a gift.
Lucy is an inspiring and encouraging teacher who has helped me fall in love with playing the cello. I would highly recommend anyone who has ever wanted to play cello to learn from Lucy.
— Leisa
“Lucy is a great teacher and she makes learning the cello fun.”
— Alfie, 10 years old
"I've been taking lessons from lessons from Lucy for a couple of months, and my playing and confidence have gone through the roof! I'm a late starter (took cello up in my forties), and had played guitar since I was a kid. Lucy has delicately shown me (some of!) my bad habits, and I feel well on the way to getting quickly to the next level .. and beyond!
— Maurice
“I first met Lucy when I joined her beginners’ class at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Pizzicato Effect as a volunteer in 2018. She is great with kids, even those for whom concentration is challenge. Her enthusiasm and joy in playing and teaching the cello wins over even the most distracted students.”
— Ellen
Our son has improved significantly since he’s been attending lessons with Lucy. He has gone from not enjoying the cello and being reluctant to practice to enthusiastic, more confident and happy to pick up and have a play of his cello. Lucy is a naturally gifted teacher with a noticeable passion for the cello. She makes learning fun, playing alongside, encouraging and supporting a love of music and the cello. He loves the cello chats, the improvisation, learning the techniques and duets.
We can’t recommend Lucy enough and feel blessed that we found her.
— Naomi, parent
Why Music?
People have made music for thousands of years. Engaging with music encourages people to imagine, create, discover, question and communicate, which are all qualities of being human.
Did you know that research shows that learning an instrument can also help to develop our brains at any age? Learning an instrument is one of the very few activities that exercises the entire brain simultaneously. This improves memory function, helps to develop cognitive thinking, numeracy and literacy skills, problem-solving and communication skills. Learning an instrument also helps to develop confidence, resilience, the ability to work in a team and encourages people to listen deeply, cultivating empathy.
Below are videos about how music benefits brain development, and the powerful effect that music can have on young people.