Courses

Courses are presented online or in person

FAST FORWARD YOUR PERFORMANCE

learn techniques to reach a higher level of performance

EFFORTLESS VIRTUOSITY COURSE

rapidly enhance your level of virtuosity and performance ease.

TECHNIQUE BOOSTER COURSE

resolve technical flaws and master skills to instantly boost your performance.

Develop your ear and open the door to true artistry

the creative way in which sound is perceived, shaped, and communicated

The secrets to benefit most from the Cello Chordal Compass Method

the Cello chordal compass, will transform your cello playing

Courses are presented online

SONATA COURSE

learn top-level skills of performing sonatas with a pianist.

CONCERTO COURSE

learn the secrets of performing successfully as soloist with orchestra.

FAST FORWARD YOUR PERFORMANCE

This special course is designed for cellists to learn techniques to reach a higher level of performance much faster than in ordinary courses. By effectively combining the fast track method from the former music schools in Russia with new methods to enhance effortlessness and virtuosity, high-level performance can now be reached much faster. Furthermore, we also target stumble blocks in your process of development to clear the path to reach effortlessness and virtuosity. At the same time you will learn techniques to help prevent injuries.

In my post-doctoral research on the training of gifted young cellists in China, Korea, Japan, Russia, the USA, UK and Austria, some alarming statistics crystalized. High student drop-out and burn-out rates, varying between 30-45%, were reported. This was caused, not only by excessive practicing in an attempt to reach the highest possible level of performance, but also as a result of inadequate performance technique. If you are a student competing in competitions, you will be required to perform demanding virtuoso works, that may put you at risk for injuries.

This course is not only designed to accelerate the development process and to eliminate the risk for injuries, but also to nurture skills to learn at a higher, but also deeper musical level. In this way you can reach autonomy at an earlier stage, both in your practicing as well as in your general development as musician.

Apart from the seven one-on-one, hourly online coaching sessions, you will also receive course material. Kindly contact me by e-mail to discuss the frequency of coaching sessions, before booking it on the website.

* You may book the hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. However, it is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the technique. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 2 weeks.

* * IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you wish to book lessons or courses „in person“, kindly contact me via e-mail (), before making the booking on this system, as we need to discuss suitable dates.  After confirming the exact dates with me, you may proceed and book the „in person“ courses online, on this booking system.

Effortless virtuosity course STUDENTS

(online or in person)

This specialized course is designed for cellists who want to rapidly enhance their level of virtuosity and performance ease, especially when performing virtuoso pieces.

What you get:

3 hourly one-on-one lessons*

Lesson 1: You prepare any piece(s) of your choice, to play. I will then make an in-depth analysis of aspects to be addressed, that will enhance your virtuosity. We then prioritize the technical aspects that we will focus on and set goals to be reached by the end of the virtuosity course.
After the lesson, I will compile a file that will be customized especially for you, consisting of exercises and etudes that focus on the problem areas we have prioritized. This file will be sent to you by email, usually within in day, so that you can practice the content for the next lessons (lesson 2).

Lesson 2: We will focus on technical aspects that will boost your virtuosity and enhance effortless performance.

Lesson 3: We will work on your choice of repertoire. You may choose the number of pieces yourself. We will incorporate the techniques learnt in the previous lessons and also focus on the musical aspects of performing virtuoso pieces.

* You may book the 3 hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. It is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the techniques. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 4 weeks.

* * IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you wish to book lessons or courses „in person“, kindly contact me via e-mail (), before making the booking on this system, as we need to discuss suitable dates.  After confirming the exact dates with me, you may proceed and book the „in person“ courses online, on this booking system.

P.I. Tchaikovsky - Pezzo capriccioso

Performances of virtuoso works can be viewed in the following videos:

A. Bazzini - La Ronde des Lutins (Dance of the goblins)

TECHNIQUE BOOSTER COURSE

(online or in person)

The course consists of 3 lessons.

The goal of the technique booster course, is to identify and prioritize technical issues that are hindering your performance, that will be addressed in a focussed manner through intensive exercises. The course consists of 3 lessons. During the first lesson, you perform your free choice of one or more works (any etude(s) and/or repertoire), during which an in-depth analysis of technical hindrances and causes thereof, will be discussed. Thereafter, customized exercises will be compiled to meet your individual goals and needs. Appropriate material, such as specific etudes, will additionally be selected.  Your unique file will then be distributed to you.  Students taking the course in-person, will receive a hard copy thereof, while students participating online, will receive their customized file, electronically per e-mail. The remaining four lessons will be devoted to solving specific issues, with the focus on enhancing your level of performance.

* You may book the hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. However, it is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the technique. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 3 weeks.

* * IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you wish to book lessons or courses „in person“, kindly contact me via e-mail (), before making the booking on this system, as we need to discuss suitable dates.  After confirming the exact dates with me, you may proceed and book the „in person“ courses online, on this booking system.

Develop your ear and open the door to true artistry

The course consists of 5 lessons.

A distinct trait of excellent performers is the creative way in which sound is perceived,
shaped, and communicated. Although technical mastery is an important component of
performance excellence, the heart of artistry lies not merely in precision, but in the
capacity to listen deeply and to create meaningfully. Since the quality of listening directly
impacts the quality of performance, it is paramount that we as cello teachers support
learners at all stages of development in cultivating refined, instrument-specific listening
skills. The journey of becoming an artist must begin with the ear, the imagination, and the
freedom to explore sound as a form of personal expression.
To develop intonation, tone color, rhythm, phrasing, and ensemble sensitivity, you should
actively weave creative listening into your technical and musical development. When you
are empowered to shape phrases, explore tone, match pitches by ear, and respond
emotionally to sound, you will begin to hear music as a language—and to listen like an
artist.
In this course, comprising 5 sessions and customized course material, you will learn
practical strategies, exercises, and reflections to help integrate aural training into all levels
of your cello playing. Dr. Gerber will also tailor the course to meet your individual needs
and to match the level of your development. Cultivate your ear to the possibilities of sound
– and open the door to true artistry.

* You may book the hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. However, it is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the technique. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 3 weeks.

The secrets to benefit most from the Cello Chordal Compass Method

The course consists of 3 lessons.

Do you wish you can navigate your fingers effortlessly with perfect intonation across the
entire fingerboard? You’re about to discover how spending a few minutes per day with my
new book, the Cello chordal compass, will transform your cello playing.

This chordal system has been used by a small group of cellists who were studying with
one of the greatest cello teachers, Simeon Kosolupov. He had the ability to transform the
ordinary into the extraordinary, by adding a few very specific exercises that skyrocketed
his students´ performance. His students, who became the top cellists of the late twentieth
century, were famous for their impeccable intonation and unprecedented level of technical
ease and virtuosity. Among these students, was the great cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich.
However, this method was never published and only passed on aurally to the few cellists
who were lucky enough to learn this method.
I realized that I have a responsibility towards current and future generations of cellists, not
to keep this cello treasure, a secret. I therefore decided to publish the entire chordal
method.
To help you benefit most from it, I now offer a course, comprising 3 sessions, on how to
practice this method that you can experience the transformation in your playing, that you
desire. The course will be tailored to meet you where you are and help you develop the
skills to take your performance to the next level.

* You may book the hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. However, it is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the technique. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 3 weeks.

SONATA COURSE

(online)

We need specific performance skills to perform sonatas, optimally. In this course you may perform any sonata for cello and piano, of your choice. Kindly note that you should play with a pianist.

* You may book the hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. However, it is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the technique. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 3 weeks.

P.I. Tchaikovsky - Pezzo capriccioso

CONCERTO COURSE

(online)

As a soloist, we need multiple skills, among others:
> how to interact with the conductor and the orchestra
> how to create a radiant, powerful and expressive sound that will soar above the orchestra

*You may book the hourly lessons, according to your own schedule. However, it is recommended that you allow a few days between each lesson, in order to practice and to apply the technique. However, the course should be taken within a maximum time span of 3 weeks.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact me!