About the Studio

Overview

Location

Lessons are currently being taught in the Capitol Hill neighborhood near Cal Anderson Park. The full address will be available upon scheduling a trial lesson.

The location is easily accessible via the Link Light Rail and has limited street parking available.

Studio Hours

Tuesday-Friday: 5:30pm-9pm

Sunday-Monday: 2pm-9pm

All hours are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST). To see current available timeslots, fill out the New Student Intake Form here.

Services

I teach…

Cello lessons for beginners, intermediate students, and pre-professional students of all ages.

Violin lessons for absolute beginners of all ages.

Music theory and composition tutoring for students of all ages.

Lesson Rates

30-minute

$49

Best for beginners, younger students, and casual learners.

45-minute

$71

Best for intermediate students and learners with more ambitious musical goals.

60-minute

$89

Best for advanced students and learners seeking the most comprehensive lesson experience.

Students choose how many lessons they would like to take each month and are billed accordingly.

Invoices are sent out on the 25th of each month—payable by check, Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo. Payment is due on the 1st of each month. Payment reserves your weekly time slot.

Lessons cancelled due to illness or emergency are eligible for a makeup lesson. A cancellation fee equal to 25% of the lesson cost will be retained to cover the reserved time slot.
The remaining 75% of the lesson fee will be credited toward the makeup lesson. Makeup lessons should be scheduled within the same calendar month whenever possible. If that isn't possible, the credit may be applied to a lesson the following month. No refunds will be issued for lesson fees, cancellation credits, or unused lesson credits due to student cancellation.
If I cancel a lesson due to illness or emergency, you may either receive a refund or apply the full lesson fee as a credit toward a future lesson. These lessons are not eligible for a makeup lesson—although one may be offered if scheduling allows.
Trial lessons are a low-risk way for prospective students to determine whether the studio is a good fit for them. They provide an opportunity to experience a full lesson, ask questions, and get a sense of expectations before committing to ongoing instruction.
Each new student is eligible for one free 30-minute trial lesson. To schedule a trial lesson, fill out the New Student Intake Form here.
When you refer a prospective student to the studio, you could get your next lesson for free!
If a student refers a new student to the studio and that student completes at least two lessons, the referring student will receive one lesson credit that may be applied to the student’s next month’s tuition. Credits are non-transferable.
Lessons are available in-studio and online via Zoom. When students choose how many lessons they would like to take each month, they will also choose if those lessons will be in-person or online.
Students may opt to change an in-person lesson to an online lesson at any time. This flexibility is intended to prevent students from coming into the studio when they are sick.

Additional Policies

Close-up of Liz Mathiesen playing cello.

Photo credit: Patty Tang

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally, yes! If you’re an absolute beginner to cello or violin, you should rent an instrument from a reputable luthier (violin shop) near you. A good luthier will help you find a starter instrument and bow that’s your size. Feel free to send me an email if you need suggestions on where to go.
The studio does not have instruments available to borrow. A trial lesson where the student does not bring an instrument will unfortunately involve no playing—so please plan to have your instrument before then for the fullest lesson experience.
Most students take one lesson a week, but other flexible scheduling options are available.
My students choose how many lessons they would like to take on a monthly basis, so creating a flexible personalized lesson schedule is easy. Students are welcome to take weeks off, take bimonthly lessons, or even take two lessons a week if they prefer.
For logistical ease, though, lessons generally occur on some kind of consistent schedule. Timeslots are reserved in advance—first-come, first-serve.
As much as the student needs to achieve their personal goals with the instrument!
All students are different. All students have different goals. All students have different schedules. As a teacher, I don’t consider it my place to tell students how music will fit into their lives. I expect them to tell me how they want music to fit into their lives—and I guide them on the best way to use that time.
I’m not the kind of teacher who will guilt a student for not practicing enough. At the end of each lesson, I give suggestions on how to review and expand upon the material that we covered. It is up to the student (and, if the student is particularly young and needs encouragement at home, their parent) to take those suggestions and alot time to practice as their schedules allow.
Students who consistently practice usually progress faster than those who do not. If a student needs an individualized recommendation for how much structured practice time will be effective for them, I will provide my recommendation upon request. I do not, however, have any practice time requirements or expectations.
The studio hosts an annual recital (location TBD) in late spring. All students are invited to perform something they’ve been working on for an audience of friends, family, and peers. Participation is encouraged, but not required.

All students should bring their instrument, sheet music (method books/repertoire), and a cleaning cloth for their instrument to their lessons. Violinists should also bring their own shoulder rest.
Students are welcome to use the studio’s music stands, pencils, and rug (no rockstops/chairstraps necessary).
Some students like to bring a notebook for writing down practice recommendations and general notes (optional).
Absolutely! Parents and siblings are welcome and encouraged to sit in on lessons. This being said, observers (and their devices) are asked to be respectful and quiet for the duration of the lesson. The cello studio is a safe space for students to learn, experiment, and make mistakes—so please, no comments in the studio.
Yes! I have experience teaching music in specialized schools for students with specific educational, behavioral, and emotional needs. I’m happy to discuss how music lessons can be tailored to support your student’s learning style and goals.
Every child is unique, so there isn’t a specific age at which every child will or will not be ready for music lessons. Not sure if your child is ready? Consider the following questions:
- Can your child listen attentively for short spans of time?
- Will your child treat themselves, their teacher, and their instrument with care and respect during lessons?
- Can you obtain a properly sized instrument from a reputable luthier (violin shop)?
Keep in mind that younger children require extra support from their parent/guardian, especially while establishing a practice routine at home. Parent involvement is one of the strongest predictors of a young student's success.
Younger students are required to have a parent/guardian in the studio with them at all times during their lessons—at least until the child is consistently meeting studio expectations around respect of themselves, their teacher, and the studio space. (I do not list an exact age here for when a parent/guardian is not required because every child is different. Parents can consult with me to decide when their presence in the studio space is no longer required). Please note that the studio space is not childproofed.
Absolutely! No student is obligated to continue studying with me after their trial lesson or first month of lessons (although you’re certainly welcome to!). All studio policies still apply for short-term instruction.
Interested students still fill out the New Student Intake Form—feel free to include notes about your goals for your lesson(s) in the text boxes provided.