Over decades of public performances as a cellist, violinist, violist, or singer in various venues, on TV, radio, and internet, I've provided cello instruction at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, and have been a Guest Lecturer, Master Class Presenter, and Sectionals Leader at public schools across the country, The University at Albany (SUNY), The College of Saint Rose and Siena College, AFM Albany, NY Local 14 member, Schenectady-Amsterdam NY Musical Union Local 85-133 Executive Board Member, and performing artist at the Chautauqua Institution, NY, and the Aspen Music Festival, CO.  I most recently served on the private music lesson faculty at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Ghent, NY, teaching students from 3rd grade through 11th grade on violin, viola, cello and bass, preparing them for their school orchestra concerts and performing duets with them in our Spring recital.  I typically teach in Albany, NY at 251 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 as well as by Zoom or Facetime, with Chicago locations starting in October of 2025.  ​

You'll benefit from in-person or online cello lessons for adults or children or in-person or online violin lessons for adults or children, in person or online viola lesssons, or in person or online bass lessons, and enjoy all the best techniques, practices and concepts from the world's top performers and teachers I have studied with/learned from in person: Yo Yo Ma, Joseph Silverstein, Lev Aronson, Richard Kay, Chaim Zemach, Jeff Szabo, David Sabee, Jack Kirstein, Lee Fiser, Paul Katz, Richard Aaron, Zara Nelsova, Yehuda Hanani, and Sara Sant'ambrogio,as well as in coaching sessions from members of the Metropolitan Opera and renowned chamber ensembles, including the Tokyo, Emerson, Cleveland and LaSalle String Quartets.  The highest credit goes to my earliest private cello lesson teachers, Eleanor Sandblade, Arlene Conn, and Dr. Lou Richardson, SUNY Fredonia without whom I wouldn't have become so intrigued with playing a string instrument for a living.  Great credit for my success and popularity as a Suzuki Teacher goes to our Suzuki Teacher Trainers including the violin, cello, viola and bass sessions I've participated in at Ithaca, NY, Chicago, IL, and Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Sally Gross, Jean Dexter, Zachary Carcella Sweet, Carey Cheney, Paule Barsalou; and, my own daughter Veronica Kolegas Nettles for her encouragement getting into and progressing in the Suzuki Method.  I have learned the most from my own children, Adam, Phillip, Maeve, and Roni, my grandsons Milo and Ferris, and all my students over the decades.  I'm P.O.Y. (proud of you) all!!! 

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For live music performances such as wedding music in string duos, piano trios, string trios, string quartets, or solo cello in Chicago or NY, you'll enjoy all the confidence that comes from connecting with audiences in the U.S. and abroad, as I've performed cello live on stage with rock legend Rod Stewart; vocal legend Johnny Mathis; "the Jimi Hendrix" of the violin Eileen Ivers, of Riverdance fiddling fame, and the operatic vocal quartet sensation "Il Divo."  

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For violin lessons, cello lessons, viola lessons or bass lessons, you'll deeply appreciate having all the auditioning insights and successes, as I've also held positions, regular and substitute, in orchestras across the country, including the Allegheny College Baroque Ensemble (PA); Middletown Symphony, OH; Richmond Symphony, IN; Lawton Philharmonic, and Enid Symphony, OK; Wyoming Symphony; Las Cruces Symphony, NM; Tri-County Orchestra, AL (viola and cello); and, in NY, in the Schenectady Symphony, Catskill Symphony, Clinton Symphony, Woodstock Symphony, Northern Dutchess Symphony, Greater Newburgh Symphony, Colgate University Orchestra, Richmond County Orchestra (Staten Island), Skidmore College Symphony, UAlbany Symphony, Siena Chamber Orchestra, Albany Pro Musica, Cathedral of All Saints Orchestra, ensembles for nationally touring shows at the Palace Theater and Proctor's Theater, Hubbard Hall Opera, Schenectady Light Opera Company, Park Playhouse, Not So Common Players, Guilderland Players, Theater Barn, C-R Kids, University at Albany Theater, and Union College Theatre, Timothy Murphy Playhouse; as well as with Capitol Chamber Artists, and Sage City Symphony, VT.  You can easily find cello lessons near me or violin lessons near me.

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Catch me in action as a cellist at a concert association performance near you (or, available streaming online in the time of COVID-19), appearing on such concert series as held at the NY State Museum, Troy Music Hall, Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, Hudson Valley Community College Cultural Affairs, Guilderland Public Library, Bethlehem Public Library, Saugerties Pro Musica, Emmanuel Baptist Church, First Fridays at First Presbyterian Church of Albany, and beyond. 

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Need cello strings tracks on your album?  Recording studio gigs have been very fun collaborations for me to capture ample sound tracks, improvising various parts for layering tracks along the cello's 5-octave range to enhance your sound.  Past work includes sessions for a recorded orchestral accompaniment for a production of The Sound of Music in Cinti, OH; and, in New York, sessions for: Sandy McKnight and the Idea (band), composer Brian Fitzgerald, Justin Metz studio, Josh Pechette studio, composer Mark LaRose, Niki Kaos and Curious Comet (band), and Glass Pony (band) at Blue Sky Studio, Delmar, NY.