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

Violoncello 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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Strings Department Chair

Headshot of Rachel Calin

Rachel Calin, 

Chair of Strings Department; Professor of Double Bass

513-556-1118

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Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of Daniel Weeks

Daniel Weeks, 

Interim Division Head of Performance Studies; 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 Cello student advances in Naumburg Competition

October 18, 2024

Each year, hundreds of applicants from around the world vie for a chance to compete in the prestigious Naumburg Competition. Current CCM freshman Miriam K. Smith, a student of CCM Professor Alan Rafferty, has qualified to compete among some of the best cellists from around the world in the 2024 International Cello Competition, which takes place October 15-20 in New York City. At just 17, Smith is the youngest of the 39 competitors.

3

Now streaming: CCM’s season-opening performance of Mahler’s...

October 16, 2024

The UC College-Conservatory of Music opened its 2024-25 concert series in epic fashion on Saturday, Sept. 21, with a sold out performance of Gustav Mahler’s colossal Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection," in Corbett Auditorium. The entire performance is now available for on-demand streaming below, including opening remarks by new CCM Dean Pete Jutras. This performance of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony features the combined forces of the CCM Philharmonia student orchestra, CCM Chamber Choir, CCM Chorale and UC Choruses, along with alumni guest artists Amanda Woodbury (soprano) and Kayleigh Decker (mezzo-soprano). CCM faculty member Mark Gibson conducts.

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