I had been playing with Liz for four years or so, when one day in the middle of my lesson
I blurted out "you know, what I really want to do is play folk music by ear." Up until that
point I'd been playing a lot of classical pieces, but I had recently realized that what I
really wanted to do was play in folk groups, and that my ear wasn't really up to the
challenge. The week after my spontaneous declaration Liz had come up with a huge list
of exercises for us to do that would continue to build me as a cellist and take me down
the ear training/improvisation path I wanted to follow. She even came up with a plan that
would keep me playing classical pieces, but with a twist that would build my ear and my
memory skills at the same time. It was wonderful, and we've been working in that
direction ever since.
I have known Liz to transcribe or arrange pop music for her students, arrange traditional
pieces to suit a student's playing level, and help a cellist write an accompaniment for her
friends folk guitar song. Her frequent master classes give a sense of community and
incentive to polish a piece that might otherwise not make that final hurdle. Aside from
being a fantastic cellist and teacher, she genuinely cares about helping her students
enjoy music, love their instruments, and take both in whatever direction makes them
happy.
~ Catherine Miller
* * * * * * * * * * *
Having no musical training and a very engaged career, I was unsure how long my little
experiment in cello learning would last. Today, I have been a cello student of Liz for
more than three years. Her patience and ingenuity make her an ideal teacher for those
trying to balance life with the hobby of cello playing. She is very adaptable, and will
adjust her teaching style to match each student's needs. Liz will not impose any
particular style on her students, and is truly supportive of experimentation and new ideas.
Last but not least, her use of software and online tools gives a modern feel to cello
learning. I am sad to see her leave, but also glad to see her start a new stage in her life.
~ Itzcoatl Pla
* * * * * * * * * * *
Choosing to learn the cello was the easy part of my post-retirement plan to pursue a
life-long love of music. The sound, the wonderful music for it, and the prospect of
someday making music with a small group directed me to the cello. And besides, they
are such beautiful creations.
Musician friends advised that finding a teacher capable of dealing successfully with
adults would be harder. I started my search on-line, found three prospects (within driving
distance of my country locale) who taught adult beginners. I contacted them by email,
followed up with phone conversations and arranged to meet.
Liz was the first of the meetings, and after spending an hour with her, I cancelled the
other meetings. My gut told me I had found someone who would suit me. She is bright,
engaging, professional, and prepared to help students deal with the wide chasm between
understanding and doing.
Once my lessons progressed, Liz showed even greater teaching skills than I had
imagined. She is quiet, listening with patience and attention, studying the student's
playing to diagnose, and then -- the best part --- makes very specific technical
suggestions. I always left my lesson with the urge to go home and practice what she had
just advised. And she is efficient -- using the lesson time to make her inputs for the next
steps, even though I longed to play over and over again when she played with me on my
parts or in duets.
I have studied with Liz for 15 months, and want to thank her for making my introduction
to playing the cello so satisfying and rewarding.
~ Jane Loos
* * * * * * * * * * *
I blurted out "you know, what I really want to do is play folk music by ear." Up until that
point I'd been playing a lot of classical pieces, but I had recently realized that what I
really wanted to do was play in folk groups, and that my ear wasn't really up to the
challenge. The week after my spontaneous declaration Liz had come up with a huge list
of exercises for us to do that would continue to build me as a cellist and take me down
the ear training/improvisation path I wanted to follow. She even came up with a plan that
would keep me playing classical pieces, but with a twist that would build my ear and my
memory skills at the same time. It was wonderful, and we've been working in that
direction ever since.
I have known Liz to transcribe or arrange pop music for her students, arrange traditional
pieces to suit a student's playing level, and help a cellist write an accompaniment for her
friends folk guitar song. Her frequent master classes give a sense of community and
incentive to polish a piece that might otherwise not make that final hurdle. Aside from
being a fantastic cellist and teacher, she genuinely cares about helping her students
enjoy music, love their instruments, and take both in whatever direction makes them
happy.
~ Catherine Miller
* * * * * * * * * * *
Having no musical training and a very engaged career, I was unsure how long my little
experiment in cello learning would last. Today, I have been a cello student of Liz for
more than three years. Her patience and ingenuity make her an ideal teacher for those
trying to balance life with the hobby of cello playing. She is very adaptable, and will
adjust her teaching style to match each student's needs. Liz will not impose any
particular style on her students, and is truly supportive of experimentation and new ideas.
Last but not least, her use of software and online tools gives a modern feel to cello
learning. I am sad to see her leave, but also glad to see her start a new stage in her life.
~ Itzcoatl Pla
* * * * * * * * * * *
Choosing to learn the cello was the easy part of my post-retirement plan to pursue a
life-long love of music. The sound, the wonderful music for it, and the prospect of
someday making music with a small group directed me to the cello. And besides, they
are such beautiful creations.
Musician friends advised that finding a teacher capable of dealing successfully with
adults would be harder. I started my search on-line, found three prospects (within driving
distance of my country locale) who taught adult beginners. I contacted them by email,
followed up with phone conversations and arranged to meet.
Liz was the first of the meetings, and after spending an hour with her, I cancelled the
other meetings. My gut told me I had found someone who would suit me. She is bright,
engaging, professional, and prepared to help students deal with the wide chasm between
understanding and doing.
Once my lessons progressed, Liz showed even greater teaching skills than I had
imagined. She is quiet, listening with patience and attention, studying the student's
playing to diagnose, and then -- the best part --- makes very specific technical
suggestions. I always left my lesson with the urge to go home and practice what she had
just advised. And she is efficient -- using the lesson time to make her inputs for the next
steps, even though I longed to play over and over again when she played with me on my
parts or in duets.
I have studied with Liz for 15 months, and want to thank her for making my introduction
to playing the cello so satisfying and rewarding.
~ Jane Loos
* * * * * * * * * * *
KnightLizard Music
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Recommendations from Students