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.

Violoncello Faculty

Headshot of Amit Even-Tov

Amit Even-Tov

Associate Professor, Ariel Quartet member (cello)

Headshot of Ilya Finkelshteyn

Ilya Finkelshteyn

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Cello

513-556-3442

Headshot of Alan B. Rafferty

Alan B. Rafferty

Associate Professor- Educator of Violoncello

Headshot of Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir

Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir

Assistant Professor of Cello

513-556-5935


Strings Department Chair

Headshot of Rachel  Calin

Rachel Calin

Chair of Strings Department; Professor of Double Bass

Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

Headshot of James Bunte

James Bunte

Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone

032-659-5900

Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman

Chamber Music Coordinator

Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn

Executive Staff Assistant

135-634-3442

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 Philharmonia performs Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' in...

Event: January 31, 2025 7:30 PM

The CCM Philharmonia wishes to summon spring early in its upcoming concert on Friday, Jan. 31. Titled "Wishful Thinking" the performance features spring-inspired works by Robert Schumann and Igor Stravinsky. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

2

Ariel Quartet opens CCM's 2025 ticketed performance series on...

Event: January 28, 2025 7:30 PM

CCM's string quartet in residence, the Ariel Quartet, opens the college's 2025 ticketed performance series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Titled "Europe: From 1903 to 1945" the concert features works by Erwin Schulhoff, Benjamin Britten and Maurice Ravel. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

3

CCM hosts Moveable Feast gala fundraiser on Jan. 24, 2025

Event: January 24, 2025 12:00 AM

UC College-Conservatory of Music hosts its Moveable Feast fundraising gala live and in-person on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Presented by CCMpower, a dedicated volunteer group of friends, advocates and alumni, Moveable Feast 2025: A Tempo generates essential support for the next generation of performing and media artists at CCM. Learn more about the event's "artistic menu" in our digital program!

4

CCM winter apparel available for purchase online

November 27, 2024

Show your school spirit this spring with official CCM apparel! New UC College-Conservatory of Music apparel is available for purchase online. CCM's latest quarter zip and crewneck sweatshirt designs can be ordered online now through Dec. 8, 2024. You can preview both items below.

5

Giving Tuesday: Support CCM health and wellness

November 26, 2024

For the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) community, Giving Tuesday offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact by supporting Student Health and Wellness. As our students dedicate themselves to the arts – pursuing rigorous schedules filled with practice, performance, and academic study – their mental and physical well-being is crucial.

6

CCM Philharmonia performs a US premiere in Nov. 25 concert

Event: November 25, 2024 7:30 PM

The CCM Philharmonia welcomes distinguished guest conductor Guido Rumstadt, from the Hochschule für Musik in Nuremberg, in a program spanning 200 years of German music on Monday, Nov. 25. Featuring CCM faculty artist Dror Biran in Schumann’s beloved Piano Concerto in A Minor. Tickets are on sale through the CCM Box Office.

7

CCM faculty and alumni nominated for 2025 Grammy Awards

November 12, 2024

This year, four UC College-Conservatory of Music alumni and one current faculty member are among the nominees named for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be held in February of 2025. Represented across five categories, the Bearcats specifically named in the Grammy's published list of nominees include CCM Associate Professor of Voice Elliot Madore along with alumni Shoshana Bean (BFA Musical Theatre '99), Aaron Lazar (MFA Musical Theatre, ’00), Kevin McCollum (BFA Musical Theatre ’84, HonDoc ’05), Fotina Naumenko (MM Voice ‘12, DMA Voice ‘18), Jeannette Sorrell (MM Orchestral Conducting, att. ‘86-88) and Donald Nally (BM Music Education ‘82).

8

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.

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