Studying Cello at Lamont
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 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)
- Major and minor scales with arpeggios (three or four octaves)
- A movement of your choice from the standard concerto repertoire
- Two movements (slow and fast) of 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
Faculty

