UC College-Conservatory of Music » Areas of Study » Academic Units » Strings » Violoncello

Violoncello

Cello students perform on the Corbett Auditorium satge during the Moveable Feast benefit.

The study of violoncello at CCM is strongly performance based. The cornerstone of all degree programs is private lessons with faculty, who serve as mentors for students and direct their individual musical, performing and teaching growth. 

The curriculum emphasizes the development of the well-rounded, holistic musician by providing a solid background in music history and theory as well as areas specific to each musical medium. Undergraduate students enjoy a close collaboration with the University of Cincinnati through a general education core that supplements their education with academic course work while graduate students specialize more precisely in their chosen field.

Learn More About the BM Program Learn More About the MM Program Learn More About the DMA Program Learn More About the AD Program

Faculty

Headshot of Amit Even-Tov

Amit Even-Tov, 

Associate Professor, Ariel Quartet member (cello)

513-556-6638

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Headshot of Ilya Finkelshteyn

Ilya Finkelshteyn, 

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Cello

513-556-3442

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Headshot of Alan B. Rafferty

Alan B. Rafferty, 

Associate Professor- Educator of Violoncello

847-571-8097

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Headshot of Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir

Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir, 

Assistant Professor of Cello

513-556-5935

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Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Daniel Weeks

Daniel Weeks, 

Interim Division Head of Performance Studies; Associate Professor of Voice

513-556-6830

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Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman, 

Chamber Music Coordinator

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Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn, 

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-3442

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CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 (undergraduate) and September 1 (graduate) for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Violoncello - BM

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme

Violoncello - MM, DMA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme (required for MM applicants ONLY)

Audition

In addition to an audition with the required repertoire, applicants for the DMA program in Cello should be prepared for a short interview with the cello faculty.

Audition Requirements
  • Two contrasting movements from a J. S. Bach cello suite 
  • One movement of a major concerto
  • One piece composed after 1940 (required for DMA applicants only)

Violoncello - AD

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • One movement of a concerto
  • One movement of solo J. S. Bach

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Two movements of a concerto
  • Two movements of solo J. S. Bach
  • Two movements of a classical or romantic sonata
  • One etude by Piatti, Popper, Duport or Franchomme 
  • One piece composed after 1940

News and Events

1

CCM alums win prestigious grants from the Sphinx Organization

April 22, 2024

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music is thrilled to congratulate alums Titilayo Ayangade (BM Cello, ’14) and Jaime Sharp (MM Voice, ’22) on their recent wins of two MPower Artist Grants from the Sphinx Organization. Available only to alumni of the Sphinx Organization, these competitive grants are intended to “empower artists’ careers.”

3

Ariel Quartet welcomes Pavel Vinnitsky in "Best of Brahms"...

March 22, 2024

The Ariel Quartet presents its final CCM concert of the 2023-24 season at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. The program includes two of the most beloved works in the chamber music canon: Beethoven’s intense Op. 59 No. 1 and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, featuring faculty artist Pavel Vinnitsky. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

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