The Lamont School of Music’s cello studio provides a collaborative and encouraging environment in which you'll have the opportunity to push your artistic boundaries.
As a cellist at Lamont, you'll study with Professor Matthew Zalkind and benefit from the pedagogical expertise of Professor Heather Hadley. Zalkind has won top honors in multiple international competitions, including the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. A former member of the Harlem String Quartet, Zalkind maintains a career as an international soloist. His robust experience allows him to help his students work toward technical mastery while they nurture their artistic passion.
Hadley is a teacher trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, has been published in the American Suzuki Journal, featured in SAA videos for parents and has served on the board of the Suzuki Association of Colorado.
Audition Repertoire Requirements
Undergraduate (BM, BA and Minor)
- A movement of your choice from the standard concerto repertoire
- One contrasting work of your choice
- One etude of your choice, preferably Popper or Piatti
- Optional: you may choose, if you wish, to include a piece for solo cello from the 20th/21st century in addition to the above requirements
Graduate (MM and Certificate in Performance)
- A movement of your choice from the standard concerto repertoire
- Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach Suite
- One Popper Etude or Piatti Caprice of your choice
- Optional: a piece for solo cello from the 20th/21st century in addition to the above requirements
- Major/Minor scales with arpeggios may be asked for at your audition.
Graduate (Artist Diploma)
- Pre-screening: submit a 25-minute unedited performance video.
- Live audition (if passed through the pre-screening): perform a closed mini-recital and interview. Candidate will give a live mini-recital, closed to public, of 30 to 35 minutes in length. Candidates must provide accompanists when necessary. We will not accept recorded auditions for this round.
Both the pre-screening audition video and the live audition should consist of a program that accurately represents the full scope of your abilities.
Review requirements for Artist Diploma
Review requirements for Certificate in Orchestral Studies
Faculty
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Lamont cellists perform with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra
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Lamont cellists perform with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra
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Lamont students got to work with Yo-Yo Ma in a recent master class.
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A Lamont string quartet performs at the annual Honors concert.
