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.
The Celebrated Artist-Teacher String Series (CATS) brings together a unique, world-class series of celebrated artists-teachers from university music schools across the nation.
Learn more
Auditions
Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition.
Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.
Click here to view the current year’s audition dates and the full steps for how to apply.
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In-Person Audition Requirements
All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
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 Performance, MM Pedagogy, 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 (Certificate in Pedagogy)
- Level 1: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Chanson Triste or Sonata is C Major by Breval.
- Level 2: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Haydn's Concerto in C Major, 1st movement or Boccherini;s Concerto in B-flat, 1st movement.
Review Requirements for Artist Diploma
Review Requirements for Certificate in Orchestral Studies -
Video Audition Requirements
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
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 Performance, MM Pedagogy, 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 (Certificate in Pedagogy)
- Level 1: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Chanson Triste or Sonata is C Major by Breval.
- Level 2: Two contrasting pieces of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Haydn's Concerto in C Major, 1st movement or Boccherini;s Concerto in B-flat, 1st movement.
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.
