Wedding music for your special day can be whatever you dream it to be: classy, fun, relaxing, exciting, and enhance beautiful memories for a lifetime for you and your guests.  Feedback about Cellist Will Hayes' collaborations with brides, grooms, parents of brides and grooms, other professional musicians, venues, wedding planners in a cello solo or as a member of a string duo, piano trio, string trio, string quartet or other combinations with harp, piano, guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, or two cellos listed on this page.  A typical travel radius for Will and any additional colleagues is out to a couple of hours one way from Mechanicville, NY.  I routinely provide wedding music in Lake George, Saratoga Springs, Lake Placid, Albany, Troy, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and surrounding areas.  Our largest selection of Classical and Popular music is for violin and cello duo.

 

Will is available to provide solo cello music, and to also help contract additional instrumentalists if so desired, as well as for in-person or online cello instruction and violin instruction as a cello teacher or violin teacher for your adult bucket list or for your children or other family members.  

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"Hands down one of our best vendors.  Extremely accommodating and extremely pleasant!  So happy with my choice for both of these musicians, Will Hayes and Emma Piazza!  We highly recommend them both!  Thank you so much!"

- Rebecca Ragland, Bride

June 25, 2021

 

"Will made it possible to realize my vision for my wedding processional music.  It was a customized performance only a skilled musician could pull off.  Guests kept talking to me about it after.  The cocktail hour performance gave the ambience that made the experience much more rich.  Thanks Will for being the icing on my wedding cake."

- MacKenzie Valentine, Bride

October, 2022

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"Will Hayes and Emma Piazza were magnificent.  They played wonderfully and made our wedding truly special.  My wife and I requested songs that may not have been on their list, but they learned each song prior to our wedding and performed them excellently.  They were passionate in their performance.  Additionally, Will Hayes was very professional and approachable in the months/days prior to the wedding; always easy to contact.  He was excited and happy for me and my wife and ensured our night was special.  My wife and I highly recommend Will Hayes and Emma Piazza."

- Richard Engel, Groom

June 29, 2021

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"Emma Piazza and Will Hayes provided live entertainment at our recent farm wedding.  Everything went very well.  They played at the appropriate sound level for background at dinner and then thereafter.  Many of the guests remarked how professional they sounded and the large repertoire they commanded.  Excellent value!!  We will certainly use them again."

- Jen Emhoff

June 4, 2021
 

"Outstanding!  We definitely highly recommend Will Hayes and Emma Piazza.  Thank you so much for working with us on our wedding.  We purposely didn't tell anyone about your string duo and everyone was pleasantly surprised.  Our guests kept speaking about you.  We wish you all continued success."

- Anthony Soto and Mari Vega Torres

Barney Carriage House, Springfield, MA, May 23, 2021

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"Really Elevated the Ceremony and Cocktail Hour!"

Will and his colleague, Emma, were incredible.  They were professional yet flexible as our plans changed as a result of COVID.  Playing during our ceremony, cocktail reception, and first dances was everything we could have asked for.  Will was very easy to work with, including recommending songs for us to use.  We had so many compliments from guests that joined us for our ceremony via live steam on how amazing the music sounded!  We could not have been happier with our day.  Thank you Will and Emma!!!"

- Lynn Tierney, Bride, The Inn at Five Points, Saratoga Springs, NY

December 16, 2020 

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"We had a wedding for my daughter on November 28, 2020 with a grand total of 11 in attendance.  Will arrived early and played beautifully.  We ZOOMed with extended family prior to the ceremony and during, and all remarked how outstanding Will's music was.  I would highly recommend Will - and he is a dream to work with!"

- Cynthia McLean, Mother of the Bride

Sadaquada Country Club, Whitesboro, NY

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"The best of the best...

We loved every minute Will spent with us! He made the wedding magical and my daughter felt like a princess. This was by far my favorite addition. I highly recommend his services!"

- Paula Rose, Mother of the Bride

Northville, NY

November 21, 2020

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"I recently hired Will Hayes and Emma Piazza to play music for my wedding at the Lake Placid Lodge.  They were absolutely wonderful, and I highly recommend them.  They regularly play together as a string duo so they play together beautifully, and the music was perfect for my wedding.  They played throughout my ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.  My husband and I are so happy that we hired them.  We think their music made the evening feel extra special and the whole ambiance was elevated.  All of our guests also agree that Will and Emma did an amazing job.  They are extremely talented and can play a wide variety of songs that range from classic to pop tunes.  Additionally, they are very professional and were very easy to work with, they also helped me decide which music to play for my ceremony.  I am forever grateful that Will and Emma helped make my wedding day so magical."

- Meredith Karin, Bride

November, 17, 2020

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"Will definitely made our wedding ceremony memorable!  My wife was upset when we learned that the organ at our church was broken and could not be used for our wedding procession.  Now we are thankful that the organ wasn't working because that's how we discovered Will.  His music added such a sense of class and elegance that is truly memorable, and we would highly recommend him to all couples getting married.  Thank you so much for being a part of our special day!"

- Joseph Napoli, Groom

Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church

Poughkeepsie, NY

November 14, 2020

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"Amazing!  We hired Will and Brooke for a duo for our September wedding.  They were able to play some classic pieces as well as some modern ones with the violin and cello.  They played for both our ceremony and reception straight - it was so perfect.  I had some special songs from my childhood and they even played Disney!  It was so amazing and the guests complimented.  I would definitely hire them again.  10/10!"

- Christina Manning, Bride

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FABULOUS!  Will played in a string duo (violin and cello) for our10/10/20 wedding with the Saratoga Violin (Brooke).  Leading up to the day, the duo learned several new songs we requested for our big day.  Their music was beautiful, ranging from Classiscal to Pop, and the perfect ambience for our backyard wedding.  They played such a fun rendition of Pharrell Williams' "Happy" which had our whole family up and dancing and was such a memorable moment.  We would highly recommend Brooke and Will."

Michelle Grossman, Bride

Albany, NY

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"Wonderful experience working with Will Hayes and Emma Piazza.  As our wedding evolved due to Covid, Will happily agreed to not only play the ceremony but also to play during cocktail hour and dinner.  He was a pleasure to work with and delighted our guests.  Highly recommend."

- Page and Jeff

Lake Placid Lodge

October 3, 2020

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"We absolutely loved your music!  Will added such a beautiful touch to our wedding day with his talent and charm.  Before our intimate ceremony Will treated our in-person guests and those attending virtually to lovely Classical music, and he played the traditional wedding songs during our ceremony that I always dreamed of hearing during our wedding.  During cocktail hour, he played a fun mix of well known songs that our guests loved."

- Hildy and Matt Curtin, Albany, NY

October 2, 2020

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"The performance was A+, 100%, out of this world perfection.  My wife and I eloped to the Adirondacks after our wedding was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19.  We had a beautiful chalet near Lake Placid and had a full week of hiking and relaxation - I wanted to bring a bit of wedding classiness to our setting while we dined and I was incredibly happy when I found (Emma Piazza and Will Hayes' duo).  From the start (they) were VERY fast with the responses.  (They) have a spectacular array of songs, many of which we love and mean a lot to my wife.  One of the additional songs I sent is one I recorded and was not sure if it could be done but, VOILA, it was done!  They arrived promptly, were very very kind and happy to be there, and were very cognizant of social distancing protocol.  We had a great dinner and drinks in front while they performed each and every song I asked for - plus a couple extra to make the night more special (the game of thrones one was a highlight for us).  We drank, ate, and slow danced while they played.  Besides our actual wedding ceremony at the top of the mountain, this was the big highlight of the week for us.  Thank you so much for not only your professionalism and your overwhelming talent, but your kindness in making that a night we will both never forget!  I will certainly recommend you to anybody who is up in the ADK and in need of a lovely evening!"

- Tom Laffey, Keene, NY

September 16, 2020

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"Will and his partner, Brooke Vincent, did a wonderful job performing at my daughter's wedding.  The music was very well played and everyone enjoyed the experience."

- Carl Cusano, Father of the Bride

September, 2020

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"The music was absolutely beautiful for our wedding ceremony, exactly what I had hoped for!  Emma (Piazza, violinist) and Will were easy to coordinate and communicate with leading up to the day of the event, and were even flexible when we had to change our date due to COVID.  They have an extensive song list which made it easy to choose from (even though they offered to learn new songs as well).  I would definitely recommend Emma and Will."

- Renee Euripidou and Andrew Livanos, August 22, 2020

Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, Albany, NY

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"Will is an exceptional cellist and will be a terrific asset to your special event.  Will performed at our wedding and welcomed a traditional mixed with non-traditional repertoire.  As a big U2 fan, I requested whether Will could perform a few U@ songs at the wedding.  He undertook the task effortlessly, which truly added a special touch to our wedding day!  As a fellow cellist, I would highly recommend him not only for his talent but also for his personality - a true gem!"

- Gwen Slattery, Bride

Warren, PA, 2016

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"Thank you for performing beautiful solo cello music at our wedding!  Your rendition of Pachabel Cannon was wonderful and perfectly timed for the walk down the aisle.  We also appreciated your professionalism and how you selected upbeat classical music to play afterwards - perfect choices for a happy occasion! Would highly recommend."

- Audrey & Christopher, July 4, 2020

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"Will is an exceptional cellist and will be a terrific asset to your special event.  Will performed at my wedding and welcomed a traditional mixed with non-traditional repertoire.  As a big U2 fan, I requested whether Will could perform a few U2 songs at the wedding - he undertook the task effortlessly which truly added a special touch to our wedding day!  As a fellow cellist, I would highly recommend him not only for his talent but also for his personality - a true gem!"

- Gwen Slattery, Bride

Warren, PA

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"Extremely talented and excellent performer!  Having the extra touch of live string music helped bring the ceremony to life.  Arrived on time, and performed all the selections that we were hoping to hear for our big day.  Would definitely recommend for ceremony music!  The quality of performance is high, and the price is very reasonable as well."

- Evan Kulhawik, Groom

September 28, 2019

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"Amazing cello music @ my wedding!!  Thank you for being part of my big day and making it extra special.  Nathan and Will did a fantastic duet at our wedding ceremony!  Guests afterwards commented on the beauty of our wedding ceremony, and specifically noted how much the live music added.  During the preparation, these gentlemen made picking the music easy and fluid.  Wil has a large selection of music to choose from, and was able to find our special selections online.  He encouraged us to select music that fit us as a couple, and this personalization added to the beauty of our ceremony."

- Jael Mancino, Bride

August 9, 2019

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"We had Will on the strings for our wedding. He played a comfortable melody while all the guests were arriving and seamlessly transitioned to different songs as the bridal party and finally the bride entered. He could not have been easier to work with. My wife and I would strongly recommend Will for future weddings."

- John Lawrence, Groom

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"The strings were fantastic and it made for such a phenomenal, special and classy wedding ceremony and cocktail hour.  Just wanted to say how thankful we were and how much we felt like the music set the tone for a beautiful ceremony and cocktail hour.  Thanks so much for being flexible with the rain."

- Bob Meyer, Groom

Equinox Resort and Hotel, Manchester Center, VT

Sept 7, 2019

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"Exceptional!  Emma and Will delighted the crowd for 3 hours at my wedding.  Couldn't have asked for a better duo.  The music was perfect for our venue and they smiled the whole time.  My guests were impressed.  I'd hire them in a heartbeat."

- Eni Bica, Bride

August, 2019

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"We hired Will Hayes to play cello at our wedding on August 3rd, 2019.  He played ceremony music for us in our church.  I found Will and he got back to me immediately regarding my interest in him and answered all my questions.  He stuck out to me as someone who was prompt, thorough, and absolutely loved his instrument and what he does.  After reading all the wonderful reviews others wrote about Will, this confirmed my thoughts and instincts.  Will made the extra effort to ensure our music was perfect for our wedding day.  Everything that Will played was beautiful and outstanding.  As soon as you hear him play, you are in for a treat because his talent and passion is clearly there.  He is professional, on time and presents himself very nicely.  If you are looking to hire a cello player for your wedding please consider the exceptional Will Hayes!"

-Carlee Collins, Bride, Troy, NY

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"A wonder violin, guitar and cello trio!  Very easy to work with, professional and wonderful musicians.  Everything we could have hoped for our daughter's wedding day."

- Richard Cotroneo, Father of the Bride, Nov 2, 2019

Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs, NY

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"They showed up early, they played late, they were incredibly professional and they were easy to work with.  Their talent was astounding!  They played Classical, modern, pop . . . you name it.  Could not have asked for a better duo at our wedding.  Thank you for being a special part of our day!"

- Hunter Gaylord, Groom, Oct 26, 2019

Berkshire Hills Country Club

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"Will came highly recommended to me as a cellist for my wedding ceremony and cocktail hour.  He was great to work with, and he made the planning process so easy with his repertoire variety and professional experience.  I had specific ideas that he was willing to accommodate, but he also brought expertise and creativity to help make our vision come to life.  Everything turned out beautifully and it added the elegant feel to our wedding day that we wanted!"

-Jessica Bernardo, Bride

November 10, 2019

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"As we approach our first anniversary, we reminisce about our December wedding with fond memories of the incredible live music provided by Will Hayes.  He not only put together an awesome group of musicians to play prelude music, he also performed cello duets with his daughter, Veronica Nettles Kolegas during our reception.  Both performances were simply incredible and enjoyed by all of our guests.  We are so thankful that Will guided our music choices; they were a welcome addition to our special day."

- Michael & Catherine Lyon

Nov 10, 2019

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"Will was an amazing musician and a fantastic addition to our wedding day.  When we asked for a cello and guitar, he found another musician to play with and they even composed a song we requested just for our ceremony.  They both showed up on time, the music for the ceremony and cocktail hour was beautiful.  Will also made sure all our questions were answered and we had a plan in place for everything so we didn't have to think about it on the day of our wedding.  I would highly recommend Will the cellist!"

- Catherine Roedel, bride, Nov 10, 2019

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

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"Will's performance provided an elegant and timeless ambiance for our wedding ceremony at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs.  From the prelude, enjoyed by our guests a half hour prior to our ceremony, to the recessional, Will accomplished exactly what we envisioned for this special day.  Many compliments on his performance during the cocktail hour as well.  He was very professional and easy to work with.  With his help and suggestions we were able to choose just the right arrangements.  We couldn't be happier."

- Melanie Feisthamel, Bride, Nov 16, 2019

Saratoga Springs, NY

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"The music was awesome!!  Will was great to work with, was extremely responsive and gave professional recommendations on songs to play for my walk down the aisle and our big exit after being announced Mr and Mrs.  Both songs sounded beautiful!  He also took time to talk with us prior to our ceremony to make sure all our favorite songs were picked and in correct order."

- Cadi Baldwin, Bride

Inn at Erlowest, Lake George, NY

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"The music was exquisite!"

- Anne Abrams

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"Best musicians in the valley!"

- Adam Garfield, Groom

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"Will played at the Altamont Manor on November 13, 2021 at a very elegant 25th anniversary event.  The music lent an excellent atmosphere to the celebration."

- Harvey Vlahos, Owner, Altamont Manor

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"True professionals!  Will Hayes, cellist and Emma Piazza, violinist, were

a dream to work with.  Will responded to inquiries and last minute details in a very timely fashion.  Almost immediately!  He worked with us choosing music that fit the personalities and vision of the bride and groom.  The music added to the beauty of the day.  Our guests commented on what a lovely job they did during both the ceremony and cocktail hour.  Many thanks!!

- Deborah Montana, Mother of the Bride

October, 2021

Hall of Springs, Saratoga Springs, NY

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"Will Hayes played the cello at our daughter's outside wedding ceremony. He did an excellent job. We misjudged the distance and amount of time it would take for my husband to walk our daughter out of the building and through the field to where the ceremony was to take place. Mr. Hayes was able to improvise beautifully and no one had any idea there as a bit of a glitch."

- Kate Calbone, Mother of the Bride

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"Will’s cello performance was the perfect addition to our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. He helped guide us in choosing the most beautiful and perfect music selections for each special component of our ceremony. He is very professional and easy to work with. We highly recommend Will to play cello for any special event! Thank you Will for helping to make our day so special and unforgettable!"

- Melanie F., Bride

 

"Will performed at our wedding during the ceremony and cocktail hour and we could not have been happier with the service. Will stayed in communication leading up to our big day and was able to recommend and perform with a violinist as well on short notice. Our guest were so impressed and knew many of the songs performed. Will was adaptable with playing outside, inside, and moving locations. Will was very professional and both he and the violinist came dressed for the occasion. The price was well worth the service and Will was understanding of time changes (late bride😁) and never made us feel like it was just a job. Even a year later Will checks in and has remained someone I would highly recommend on all levels. Having the classical music portion at our wedding really added to the memories of our wedding. Also in the height of COVID Will and the violinist followed all COVID-19 Protocols that were in place for gatherings. This was welcomed and appreciated. A pleasure to work with! Thanks again Will for such an amazing, wonderful, and memorable day! We are eternally grateful."

- Chantel Dufel, Bride

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"Will was so wonderful to work with during our wedding planning. He gave his professional views on a couple of our songs and based on his feedback we switched when the songs would play (walking down the aisle and our exit song). He also has a great connection with other talented musicians if you’re looking for additional instruments (we had cello and violin). We definitely recommend working with Will for your special day!"

- Cadi Doyle, Bride

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"Will was the perfect addition to our wedding ceremony! I think music is one of the most important aspects of a wedding ceremony (and reception) and Will brought his experience and professionalism to make it a special day to remember! Would highly recommend his services for a wedding or special event!"

- Laura Tidmore, Bride

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"My perfect August wedding wouldn't have been complete without Will and his partner Emma. Pre-wedding communication was prompt and easy. They made recommendations and listened to our requests. They played during our ceremony and cocktail hour and our guests were in awe. I highly recommend Will (and Emma). Your wedding day or special event will be that much more special."

- Eni Bica, Bride

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"Will performed at our wedding with the violinist Emma Piazza and their work was incredible. They are accommodating, professional and so fun to have around to share our special day with. We would recommend them in a heartbeat for anyone who is looking for great wedding musicians! Thanks Will and Emma for making our day so special!"

- Adam Garfield, Groom

 

"The details involved in planning a wedding can drive a person to the brink of insanity. 😜 When it came to finding the perfect music for my wedding ceremony and reception, I was blessed!  WILL was professional, knowledgeable, and dependable right from the start.  He was able to coordinate other musicians for us when we decided we wanted a string trio or quartet, and to accommodate our musical requests, as well as suggest other beautiful pieces. I was impressed with the variety and the quality!  WILL was very courteous and prompt, which really helped to alleviate a lot of anxiety in the planning stages and on our wedding day.  His music was beautiful, elegant, and classy. So many of our guests commented on the gorgeous music!  I highly recommend WILL to any prospective wedding planners out there. You will be blessed, too."

- Catherine Hayes, Bride

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"Will played at both of my children’s weddings. In addition to being an outstanding musician he is a pleasure to work with. Will made our special occasions memorable and enjoyable with his musical talent, enthusiasm and positivity."

- Varda LeMonds

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"Will Hayes coordinated a string trio, two violins and a cello for our wedding. Arranging the appropriate music and other musicians was handled professionally and we couldn’t have been more pleased. Our family and friends still talk about the trio and how they contributed to our beautiful event.
Highly recommended!"

- Michael Lyon, Groom

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"Will Hayes and the crew were fantastic at our wedding and cocktail hour! They did a great job of creating a perfect ambiance while still keeping the focus on the wedding itself. The quartet was yet another perfect part of our perfect day!"

- Dan LeMonds, Groom

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"I've had to pleasure of using Will on many events and he's always brought the highest level of musicianship, professionalism and positive energy. Whenever I need someone to lead an ensemble Will is MY GUY and never, ever disappoints... I wish I had 3 more like him that I could call... 7 Stars!!!"

- Mike Emery, New York Players

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"We've had the opportunity to sub-contract Will as a soloist (and his duo) on many occasions to fulfill the Ceremony needs of our esteemed Bridal clientele. Without fail, our Bride-Grooms absolutely rave over the 'whole package' that Will brings to the table. His rate is very competitive, he is abundantly professional, super easy to communicate with (responsive) and his talent is second to none. Not only has will been a wonderful asset for my business (and our clients) but he's just the kindest guy and such a pleasure to work with. We couldn't ask for more!"

- Funk Evolution

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"Will was absolutely wonderful. He played for the ceremony and cocktail hour at my wedding in September. He arrived early, set up promptly and played a beautiful selection of romantic cello music. It really gave the wedding a romantic atmosphere. His pricing was very reasonable for the quality and all my guests kept commenting on his gorgeous playing. Cannot recommend enough!"

- Chelsea Derouchey, Bride

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"We had a very small intimate wedding in the woods at an inn in Vermont. Will played the cello for our ceremony and it was so perfectly lovely to hear his music among the trees in Autumn. Highly recommend him for your special venue!"

- Caroline DiDimenico, Bride

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"My husband and I met in middle school orchestra, where we both played cello. I later met Will playing at SUNY Albany in a community orchestra, and when my husband and I were planning our wedding, we thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate that aspect of our relationship. We could not have been more correct, and were more than pleased with his performance.
We elected to have him play our cocktail hour, and it was the perfect accompaniment to our guests mingling and settling in. He also played after our entrance, as we made the rounds and greeted our guests. Many of them commented on it, loving the classy touch the strings brought, as well as his more “modern” selections, such as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.
We loved Will’s addition to our special day and enthusiastically recommend him to anyone looking to add strings to their wedding or event."

- Jordynn Zusy, Bride

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"Will was excellent from the first day we talk to the day of the event. He is very talented and I was very happy with his work."

- Maria Martinez, Wedding Planner

 

"Will and Emma played for my daughters wedding. So easy to work with. Very accommodating on music selection and everyone loved them. Many asking for contact info for future weddings. Thank Will Hayes and Emma Piazza👏👏👏"

- Sue Martini

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"Will played at our parent's 25th wedding anniversary, he was amazing! Very professional and very good at what he does. Totally recommend him!"

- Nitalia Naeem

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"Will is a fantastic person to work with - a total pro that I trust with the responsibility of delivering wonderful music for our events! Always enjoy working with him - and look forward to the next opportunity."

- Scott Arcangel, Professional Wedding Musician

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"Professional!"

- Amir Bubregovic, Groom

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"Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value!"

- Carl Hackert, Father of the Bride