welcome
I’ve had the pleasure of teaching cello and guitar to students of all ages for over 20 years, including my current position as Associate Professor of Cello at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As my father Brian was a jazz guitarist and music professor, I grew up watching him teach music lessons at home; I guess it was only natural that I would eventually follow suit!
My teaching emphasizes a strong technical foundation, beautiful sound, and expressive music making. Connecting with my students and developing trust is paramount to me, and I work hard to find ways of motivating and engaging each of my students.
Cello is an extremely versatile instrument that is capable of being played in almost any style. I have had the privilege of working with students throughout the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, China and Malaysia on traditional classical repertoire and chamber music as well as modern/alternative string playing and improvisation. Since 2021, I have been the Director of the New Directions Cello Festival (now hosted annually in Northampton, MA as well as online) which provides an international forum for the exchange of music and ideas for creative and alternative cellists of all ages, levels and backgrounds.
My students have been accepted into the Massachusetts Eastern, Southeastern and Northeastern Jr. and Sr. District Orchestras, the Massachusetts All-State Orchestra, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the New England Conservatory preparatory orchestra programs. They have also gone on to be active in the music departments of Harvard University, Berklee College of Music, Union College, Middlebury College, Emory University, Smith College, UMass-Amherst, Hobart and William Smith College, Connecticut College and the University of Miami. I also have adult students who decided to learn cello later in life who are now active in community orchestras in Greater Boston.
I am based in the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts, and am currently accepting online students domestically and internationally. My online course Creative Expansion for Cellists , a systematic, cello-centric approach to creative fingerboard mastery and melodic and rhythmic reflex development is now open for registration.
-Jeremy
THE HARMAN COMPREHENSIVE CELLO STUDIO
The Harman Comprehensive Cello Studio is based in beautiful Western Massachusetts and offers private and group cello lessons and workshops both online and in-person for students of all ages and abilities.
““Jeremy infuses his lessons with both classical training and a love of current music. He knows how to keep cello students engaged and making beautiful music, and his enthusiasm is contagious.””
Online Course:
Creative Expansion
for Cellists
A systematic, cello-centric approach to creative fingerboard mastery and melodic and rhythmic reflex development
I’ve had the pleasure of teaching cello to students of all ages for over 20 years.
Connecting with my students and developing trust is paramount to my teaching method, and I’m passionate about discovering new ways of motivating and engaging each of my students.
““My son has been taking private lessons with Jeremy for going on 6 years. It has been a fantastic experience working with Jeremy. He is an amazing teacher; very kind, thoughtful, clear, positive, encouraging, gives feedback to my son that he can understand and work on, and has really helped him progress in his cello ability. He is a rare teacher who has the gift of knowing how to teach and how to relate to teens in a positive way!” ”
Post-concert smiles with students from an Improvisation for Strings workshop in Ochsenhausen, Germany
““Jeremy is an incredible teacher who will help you to get better and more confident in all aspects of the cello. He has helped me to improve my technique and general musical skill while also enriching my love of music by introducing me to new styles of music and unique ways to play cello that we wouldn’t normally use in my school orchestra. I have loved every single lesson with Jeremy!” ”
Sirius Quartet
I’ve spent the last 10 years performing and teaching all over the world as the cellist of the NYC-based Sirius Quartet, a multi-genre improvising string quartet who focuses on composing and performing original music which blurs the line between classical, jazz, rock, folk, and world music.
““A stellar ensemble that transforms standard chamber music frameworks with exceptional playing, writing and arranging... the joy and energy with which they play was palpable.””
Starting in 2021, I have taken on the role of Artistic Director of the New Directions Cello Festival which provides an international forum for the exchange of music and ideas for creative and alternative cellists of all ages, levels and backgrounds.
“Since 1995, the New Directions Cello Festival has provided an international forum for the exchange of music and ideas for creative and alternative cellists of all ages, levels and backgrounds. With a “big tent” ethos, New Directions embraces all styles of music, particularly those not commonly taught at conservatories and music schools and especially those that incorporate improvisation. Cellist participants come from all over the US and abroad for a weekend of workshops, concerts, panels and jam sessions with some of the most innovative cellists working today.”