Group Programs

Suzuki Group Classes

We offer group classes for all students beginning at age three. Our group classes are held at Agnew Performance Academy, a holistic center for high-performing artists and athletes to hone their craft  in community. Enrollment includes access to all classes in our 18-week semester. This includes a final performance for family and friends, and detailed practice assignments each week.

JOYFUL CELLO EDUCATION

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JOYFUL CELLO EDUCATION ~

Suzuki Group Classes are a core component of a well- rounded Suzuki education. While private lessons focus on individualized technical development, group classes provide  an essential social and musical environment that accelerates learning, deepens motivation, and builds confident, well-rounded young musicians.

Grounded in the philosophy of the Suzuki Method, group classes support the idea that children learn best in community—through listening, observing, and doing alongside peers.

Suzuki Faculty is Abbey Hansen & Nora Willauer

Schedule: Wednesdays

4:30pm: Pre-Twinkle
5pm: Book 1
6pm: Performance Lab
7pm: Book 2-3
7pm: Book 4-6
7:45-9pm: Book 7-10 (Advanced cello choir)
8pm: Adult Cello Choir

Enroll Now!

Abbey Hansen

Cellist, artist-teacher and Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) registered Cello Teacher Trainer, Abbey Hansen, maintains an active teaching and performing schedule in the Cleveland area where she has lived and taught since 2016. As founder and director of Cleveland Cello School, Ms. Hansen maintains a full and active studio of cello students ages 3 and up and their families.

Nora Willauer

Nora Willauer, D.M.A., is a cellist and dynamic music educator based in Cleveland, Ohio, and Midcoast Maine. She completed her doctoral studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Dr. Melissa Kraut and Mark Kosower. Nora’s culminating lecture recital explored the relationship between groove and classical cello pedagogy, and her work was awarded CIM’s Kaplow prize for uncommon creativity.

Quartet Program

Designed for developing string players who are ready to move beyond solo playing,  this program bridges the gap between private study and larger ensemble work.

Weekly coachings happen at Agnew Performance Academy during our 18- week semester. This includes a final concert for family and friends.

COLLABORATIVE CHAMBER MUSIC

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COLLABORATIVE CHAMBER MUSIC ~

Our Quartet Program introduces students to one of the most rewarding and formative experiences in music: collaborative chamber music. Playing in a quartet challenges students to listen deeply, communicate clearly, and take full ownership  of their musical role—skills that shape not only strong musicians, but thoughtful, confident collaborators.

Quartets are formed based on demand.

Quartet Faculty is Matthew Rhee & Nora Willauer

Current Quartets

Wednesday 4pm: Agnew Cello Quartet

Wednesday 5pm: Agnew String Quartet

Quartets are formed based on demand.

I'm ready to register!

Matthew Rhee

Matthew Rhee, began musical studies at the age of 6 at Queens College through a Suzuki program.  He has studied under Julia Bruskin, Brittney Dagro, Marion Feldman, and Rafael Popper-Keizer. In his senior year at Gordon College, Matthew won the Gordon College Concerto Competition 2021-2022 and performed the following year with the Gordon Symphony Orchestra.

Nora Willauer

Nora Willauer, D.M.A., is a cellist and dynamic music educator based in Cleveland, Ohio, and Midcoast Maine. She completed her doctoral studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Dr. Melissa Kraut and Mark Kosower. Nora’s culminating lecture recital explored the relationship between groove and classical cello pedagogy, and her work was awarded CIM’s Kaplow prize for uncommon creativity.

"We love Nora! She is not only a talented musician but a sensitive, competent and fun teacher. She has become like extended family to us and I can't recommend her highly enough."

- Kathryn Bates
"Nora is the best cello teacher I could want for my daughter! She is an incredibly skilled musician, but isn't pretentious and doesn't force technical or perfectionist learning with kids that isn't age appropriate. She is serious about teaching, but she is joyful and playful during lessons, even when my daughter is unenthusiastic"

- Nikki Rodney
I am so grateful that we found Nora to take us on our daughters' music education journey. She is not only an amazing musician, but also a wonderful teacher and a kind and caring human being. Her love for music and the cello is contagious and she is a great listener who can alter her teaching and communication style to fit different kids.

- Jana Krasney