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

513-556-3442

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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

Bravos. Without Barriers.

Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, CCM's Diversity Fellowship program with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is a prestigious performance fellowship program for exceptional string players.

The program provides an unparalleled two-year learning experience for graduate-level violin, viola, violoncello and double bass players coming from populations that are historically underrepresented in classical music.

We will begin accepting applications for the next class of CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows on Sept 1, 2022. The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2022.

Learn More About the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship

News and Events

1

Ariel Quartet featured on 'Today Show'

April 28, 2023

The Today Show featured four familiar faces in an April 27 segment. The members of the Ariel Quartet, CCM’s string quartet-in-residence, performed music and spoke during an NBC news segment highlighting Violins of Hope, an organization dedicated to restoring violins that belonged to Holocaust victims and survivors. CCM faculty members Alexandra Kazovsky and Gershon Gerchikov, who serve as the Ariel Quartet's two violinists, performed on restored instruments during the segment.

2

Alumna Anita Graef named Taft Museum Duncanson...

April 11, 2023

Cincinnati’s Taft Museum has named Anita Graef (MM Cello ’19) the 2023 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence. The residency is designed to center the work of black artists from a variety of disciplines, and includes performances and educational events around the Cincinnati area. Graef, who was a CSO/CCM Diversity Fellow, will perform April 16, 21 and 29 as part of her Duncanson Residency.

3

CCM apparel now available for purchase online

March 23, 2023

Back by popular demand, official CCM-branded apparel is now available for purchase online! Show your school spirit this spring with official UC College-Conservatory of Music apparel. The CCM Tribunal is sponsoring the college's spring apparel campaign to help raise funds for student initiatives. CCM-branded t-shirts, hoodies and quarter-zip pullovers are available for purchase online now through April 23, 2023.

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