Beginner Cellist

Sunday: January 25, 2015
     
I began playing cello last fall at the end of August. At the arts academy I attended that summer, I had met an astounding cellist who teaches at the university. She was absolutely phenomenal and even attended Yale. Needless to say, I was anxious because she did not take beginners, but when I approached her saying I was extremely interested in learning and was wondering if she could teach me, she said yes on the spot. I've been playing ever since and I've loved every last minute of it. I was permitted to use one of the school's cellos until I was able to use my own which ended up being until beginning of December when the semester ended so I had to return the school's and go get my own. However, my winter break was hectic and we never got around to it... Until today.

I've been pestering my mom since December to call the company my teacher had recommended and they scheduled us an appointment for today at 4 PM. The address was nearly an hour away so we left around 2:30 just to be safe and the entire car ride there I was excited to finally be able to hold a cello again to practice and play. We arrive at 3:40 and wait to approach at 3:55 and when we knock on the door, a short oriental women with an adorable smile, opens up the door. She greets us and escorts us to another room that has a Bass in the corner, string instruments in their cases on the floor, two violas to the side and a beautiful mahogany-colored cello leaning against a couch. They mentioned over the phone they would pre-pick cellos to show us but I only saw the one, although it was incredibly beautiful and I was hoping that was the one they were planning to give me. The owner comes in and begins small talking with my mom and I for about twenty minutes until he allows me to try out the cello. I pull my hair to the side while placing it gently on my shoulder and being to bow a few open strings and the owner guides me to play a C-Major scale. I'm in love with the cello and how easily the sounds flow from my finger tips. 

The owner's wife comes back in and discusses details with my mom about renting and possibly owning while the owner himself talks with me about how he never allows students at such a young age, especially beginners, burrow such a high-quality cello but my professor had called into him telling him I wasn't any ordinary cellist, and took the instrument and music seriously. They were both extremely nice and after all the small talk, walked us back out the front entrance where my mom and I walked back to the car. Smiling from ear to ear, I placed my cello gently into the trunk and we drove home, all the while the excitement to play stirred inside me.









                           
The owner's Viola's and Violins


My new beautiful cello

Katya Podkovyroff
"The September Journalist"



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