About

The cello is a versatile instrument capable of expressing the whole spectrum of emotions and sounds across a wide range or registers. The workshops of the Cello Retreat aim to explore exactly that — to expand student cellists’ imagination for what their instrument can do.

Cellists of the Cello Retreat play in a cello orchestra and in various chamber ensembles, rehearsing and performing repertoire that encompasses all periods of music — from Buxehude to Bach, Sibelius to Herbie Hancock. In addition, a separate technique class is offered, with emphasis on finding more efficient ways of using the body, and paring down the complexity of cello technique to serve the music.

Two workshops are offered: Cello Chill (primarily for adults) in the Fall, and Cello Retreat (primarily for teenagers) in the summer. Both workshops are for intermediate to advanced cellists, and are led by Juilliard-graduate concert cellist Grace Anderson and Charlotte Symphony Principal cellist-emeritus Alan Black.