Teaching Artist Statement
Sharing the joy of teaching and creating music is my lifelong passion. Growing up in my family meant that at age five my mother became my piano teacher, at six my father became my violin teacher and at eight my cello teacher. It was "normal" to listen in as my Dad studied with teaching greats George Bornoff, Paul Doktor, and Roy Stevens. As I gained brothers and sisters, each started an instrument and we formed The Kuutti Family String Ensemble. As adults, we all chose to become teachers. As a teacher, I look forward to each lesson because students of all ages, leveIs, and interests come for similar reasons. They are hoping to create music and share joy. Good, solid technique is essential for all, but the approach and materials can be a customized. It is a journey I enjoy taking with them.
Teaching Bio
While earning her Bachelor of Music, Cynthia Weller studied cello with Stephen Geber and chamber music with Eric Rosenblith at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston MA. She also studied cello with Roger Drinkall at the Cadek Conservatory of Music while at Southern University. She received her Master of Elementary Education degree from Bridgewater State College and has Massachusetts certification in Music and in Elementary Education. She taught as String Specialist in the Hingham Public Schools from 1976-1980 and more recently has addressed classes at Berklee College of Music as a guest artist. Cynthia has been teaching Suzuki strings and traditional violin, viola, and cello at the South Shore Conservatory since 1976. She has led chamber ensembles, Suzuki group classes, summer programs, and adult string ensembles. Her student groups have performed in and around the Boston area. Cynthia's Suzuki involvement began in Tennessee in the 1970s and has continued through the years with pedagogy classes, teacher training, and regular attendance at Suzuki conferences. Teachers have included Sally Gross, Carol Tarr, Susan Levine, Carol Sykes, and William & Doris Preucil. Cynthia greatly appreciates the opportunities she has had to observe and interact with Dr. Suzuki. In addition, she has attended and performed at ASTA conferences, American and World Cello Congresses, and folk and Finnish festivals.
Performance Bio
Cynthia Weller began performing professionally at the age of thirteen when she was hired by the Chattanooga Symphony. While earning her Bachelor of Music, she studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston MA. She also studied at the Cadek Conservatory of Music while at Southern University. She received her Master of Elementary Education from Bridgewater State College. Cynthia has been teaching Suzuki strings and traditional violin, viola, and cello at the South Shore Conservatory since 1976. She has performed in musicals, for traveling artists, and with many orchestras including the Chattanooga Symphony, the Chattanooga Opera Association, the Birmingham Symphony, the Cape Cod Symphony, and the Plymouth Philharmonic. She performed at the United States Capitol in 1980 and for the world premiere of 200 Celli: A Celebration by Lucas Foss with the 1982 First American Cello Congress Orchestra under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich at Constitution Hall in D.C. Currently Cynthia enjoys performing solo and with ensembles such as the Mayflower String Quartet, The Kuutti Family String Ensemble, and in duo with her woodwind husband, Paul. She has been with South Shore Conservatory since 1976.