Interested in learning with Cecily?
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Contact us to schedule your first lesson!
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Cecily cannot remember a time in her life when she was not playing the violin. At the age of four, she began violin lessons, and at age eight, she started piano lessons as well. Though initially a reluctant beginner who didn’t appreciate violin practice invading her playtime world of princesses and fairies, Cecily grew to love the violin. By the time she was seven, she was soloing regularly in church and was frequently pretending to teach violin lessons. When people would ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she confidently replied, “I’m going to be a violinist!”
A Charleston native, Cecily was privileged to grow up with many opportunities and experiences this musically rich city has to offer. In 8th grade, Cecily achieved the position of concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony Youth Strings, and the next year, she began performing with the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra. She auditioned for and was chosen to perform in Piccolo Spoleto’s Rising Stars, a program that showcases exceptional artistic talent from across the Southeast. |
She has performed for Rising Stars as both a violinist and piano accompanist. While in high school, Cecily began teaching private violin lessons and also became a member of Summerville Orchestra, 2023 winner of the American Prize in Orchestral Performance. Additionally during her high school years, Cecily studied under internationally renowned violinist Lee Chin Siow, professor at College of Charleston.
Wishing to continue her studies with her inspiring teacher, Cecily is currently pursuing her bachelor’s in Music Performance at College of Charleston. Cecily was the recipient of the highest scholarships awarded by the College of Charleston Music Department and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League. Cecily enjoys music theory and composition as well, composing and performing an original piano arrangement for her senior recital, and she frequently both writes and performs violin parts to accompany vocalists or instrumentalists. She especially enjoys performing chamber music. Outside of her college and orchestral studies, Cecily enjoys eating dark chocolate, playing for local events, fundraisers, weddings, and celebrations of any kind, and serving in the music ministry at her church alongside her cellist sister and pianist mom!
Wishing to continue her studies with her inspiring teacher, Cecily is currently pursuing her bachelor’s in Music Performance at College of Charleston. Cecily was the recipient of the highest scholarships awarded by the College of Charleston Music Department and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League. Cecily enjoys music theory and composition as well, composing and performing an original piano arrangement for her senior recital, and she frequently both writes and performs violin parts to accompany vocalists or instrumentalists. She especially enjoys performing chamber music. Outside of her college and orchestral studies, Cecily enjoys eating dark chocolate, playing for local events, fundraisers, weddings, and celebrations of any kind, and serving in the music ministry at her church alongside her cellist sister and pianist mom!
Cecily's Teaching Style
"I am so passionate about music and the beautiful instrument that the violin is that I consider it a pure joy and privilege to guide and inspire others through their musical journey of learning the violin! I like to teach in a warm and engaging manner, getting to know the student not just as a musician but as a person. Doing so helps me better tailor my teaching to the student individually, even down to the illustrations I use to help them understand a concept.
I love seeing those “lightbulb” moments when the student gets a technique or concept we’ve been working on and unlocks a whole new sound! I especially emphasize teaching the student how to practice effectively. I engage the student by asking them lots of questions, teaching them how to self-analyze when they play and how to problem-solve to get the sound they want. Essentially, I give the student the tools for their tool belt that they can then use when they practice. This enables the student to always be learning and progressing even outside of the lesson!
I believe that music lessons should be both focused and fun, so in addition to a foundation of repertoire and exercises that develop the student’s technique, enabling the student to achieve the best sound possible, I am happy to incorporate music that fits the student’s individual passions and interests. As a church musician, I am also happy to work on hymns and sacred arrangements with students!"
I love seeing those “lightbulb” moments when the student gets a technique or concept we’ve been working on and unlocks a whole new sound! I especially emphasize teaching the student how to practice effectively. I engage the student by asking them lots of questions, teaching them how to self-analyze when they play and how to problem-solve to get the sound they want. Essentially, I give the student the tools for their tool belt that they can then use when they practice. This enables the student to always be learning and progressing even outside of the lesson!
I believe that music lessons should be both focused and fun, so in addition to a foundation of repertoire and exercises that develop the student’s technique, enabling the student to achieve the best sound possible, I am happy to incorporate music that fits the student’s individual passions and interests. As a church musician, I am also happy to work on hymns and sacred arrangements with students!"