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Reviews from Parents
Reviews from Students
My daughter has studied with Rachael for ten years and made great progress. Rachael is an excellent teacher, musician, and person. She’s very devoted to her students and their parents. She achieves a great balance between patience and rigor. I’d recommend her to any cello student. (Posted by bentenuto)
Rachael is an extraordinarily talented, intuitive teacher for cellists at every level. She sets high standards and her students rise to meet them. My daughter tried to learn cello in a group at school and was taught everything incorrectly–she loved the cello but everything sounded wrong with the school orchestra. We were fortunately referred to Rachael for private lessons. Rachael corrected and inspired my daughter and she continues to play 5 years later. Rachael is patient, firm, motivating and she moves students along at their own pace. She is worth driving to the north valley for! (Posted by mother of two cellists)
Rachael is one of the most in-demand cello teachers in the LA area. Her students regularly win area competitions and populate the most competitive youth orchestras. My son has studied w/ her for 5 years. She’s young, fun and unpretentious. (Her mother, who lives next door, is an accomplished piano teacher and accompanist.) But don’t be lazy. If you are, she won’t hesitate to give your spot to a more motivated student. (Posted by Robert Evren)
Although my son has had good training on the cello up to this point, his playing has really taken off since he signed on with Rachael. She really “gets” teenagers and is an excellent professional. (Posted by cello parent 4/25/08)
My son has studied cello with Rachael since age 6 1/2. Next week he graduates from high school. Rachael has been the light of our lives. She provides not only professional lessons, but also works so hard to arrange so many events such as recitals, competition involvement and cello institute opportunities. Through these, music and the cello in particular, have become the most wonderful part of our lives. My son gained confidence, happiness, and incredible opportunities for success and enjoyment all of these years and will into the future. We credit Rachael with all of this and we recommend her highly! (Posted by Hallie Gonder 6/09/08)
My daughter has only been with Rachael for a short time and she loves her. Rachael has such a wonderful and patient approach to teaching. My daughter responds to it in such a way that she wants to be really good and can’t wait to see Rachael again. In such a short period of time my daughter’s understanding of music has skyrocketed as well as her confidence. I am looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for my daughter as I know that Rachael will have a GREAT part in my daughter’s growth as a wonderful cellist. I highly recommend Rachael!!!! (Posted by Threecordfold 03/07/2011)
My daughter has been taking lessons with Rachael for two years and has improved in every area of her cello practice. Rachael not only brings superlative qualities to her teaching but also provides numerous opportunities for her students to perform recitals and participate in competitions. My daughter’s understanding of music and her confidence in performance have developed dramatically because of Rachael’s innovative, thorough and patient approach. (Posted by tinyhuntress 03/07/2011)
Rachael is my daughter’s cello teacher. She is one of the best cello teachers in California. My daughter has been so inspired by Rachael and has learned to play the cello very, very well. I am thrilled to have Rachael is our lives. She constantly brings my daughter inspiration and her technique is excellent. Thank you, Rachael!!! (Posted by Kristal007 03/07/2011)
My five year old daughter studies with Rachael. I feel extremely fortunate to have her mentor my daughter in cello. Because of Rachael, my daughter loves the cello and feels really good about her playing. She is passionate about the cello and is a fantastic teacher. We choose to drive an hour to study with her rather than any of the local cello teachers in our area because she is so special. Having little ones of her own, she is tremendously patient and giving even to the young beginner. I have complete trust in her as my daughter has made tremendous progress since switching to her. I have observed many music teachers throughout my life. What I see in Rachael that sets her apart and above is patience, passion for the students, her encouragement and her tremendous knowledge from years and years of teaching. Unlike most teachers, she goes way above and beyond for her students. I am so excited to see what my daughter will achieve with her cello. (Posted by ganslassies 03/07/2011)
My daughter has found a renewed sense of love and passion for the cello since she started studying privately with Rachael. Rachael is knowledgeable, talented but mostly fun. She requires commitment and dedication but My daughter is happy to see her every week. She has voiced, "she had no idea cello could be fun" and she is determined to get better all the time. Rachael is a gem in Van Nuys and we highly recommend her. (carrotbond)
My grandchildren are blossoming as young cello players, They have learned to love both classical and modern music under Rachel’s guidance. She is one of the best teacher’s in L.A. I say this as a parent who has raised 5 marvelous musicians and been through several highly recommended string teachers. My grandchildren look forward to recitals and lessons. Rachel is a master teacher of young people. We hope to be with Rachel, as a family of musicians, through the long developing years. Thanks Rachel . And thanks to your marvelous mother, Anita, the finest pianist a soloist could want. (Posted by Carol Chassman 03/08/2011)
My daughter has found a renewed sense of love and passion for the cello since she started studying privately with Rachael. Rachael is knowledgeable, talented but mostly fun. She requires commitment and dedication but My daughter is happy to see her every week. She has voiced, “she had no idea cello could be fun” and she is determined to get better all the time. Rachael is a gem in Van Nuys and we highly recommend her. (Posted by Anonymous 03/08/2011)
I feel extremely fortunate to have studied the cello with Rachael Lonergan for eleven years. Rachael manages to make learning the cello a fun and enjoyable process for her students while still pushing them to a very high level of playing. She is also one of the most dedicated music teachers I know. From preparing her students for competitions to organizing her unique cello ensemble recitals, Rachael never stops working for her students. Thanks to her, I am now a music performance major at UCLA where I continue to play the cello with a high level of joy that is not uncommon among Rachael’s students. (Posted by Hillary Smith)
I started with Rachael a number of years ago, and now the cello is my career and my love. I have her to thank for guiding me not only through learning the cello, but for helping me get through my teenage years by always being there for me. She is professional but caring, she is strict but not mean, she demands highly of her students but never overburdens them. I recommend Rachael not only as a cello teacher but as a great human being! (Posted by Peter Kibbe)
Rachael is an incredibly talented and experienced cello teacher. I studied with her for 10+ years and she was one of the most positive influences in my life growing up. I highly recommend her for anybody. She knows what she's doing. There's no one better. (Posted by baldridge111 10/09/2011)
At age 40, I was referred to Rachael by an insider at the LA Phil, and I started with Twinkle in Suzuki Book 1 several years ago. So I have an “insider’s” view of what kids experience in Rachael’s studio. I participate in all the things her “kids” do — recitals, Certificate of Merit, Suzuki Graduation, and even summer cello camp. So, here’s the scoop: 1. Fundamentals: Rachael uses the Suzuki repertoire which is excellent in building skills in an effective, methodical progression. Coupled with Rachael’s truly exceptional teaching skills, the results are fabulous. She has a great eye for each student’s unique talents and hurdles. She has a variety of teaching tools/exercises to reach each student in learning techniques such as bow holds and vibrato. Some of us are too tight, some too timid; Rachael has solutions to address every individual student’s development in a fun, supportive and relaxed setting. 2) Motivation: Rachael’s style is playful and engaging for the little ones (my son was her student at age 4) but holds the bar high so that, as students mature, they develop to the highest standards. While some students do have a natural “gift”, for the most part, excellence comes from learning proper technique, commitment to practice and individual drive, and Rachael expertly guides students to stay on track and keep up the motivation to strive for excellence. The Certificate of Merit and Suzuki Graduation programs offer great milestone and goal setting opportunities. It is no surprise that the LA Violincello teacher’s society has honored Rachael for her outstanding achievement as a cello teacher. (Posted by RdelaRocha 03/07/2011)
I studied with Rachael for only about three years, maybe a little under. But in that short time, she whipped me into shape like no other teacher could. She taught me not only technique, but also how to pour myself into the music with abandon. She made me love the cello like I never had before. The minute I stepped into her studio for the first time, I knew I was in the presence of a great teacher. And she didn’t just teach me what I “needed” to know. She taught me what it means to be a musician in the modern world. She taught me how to make music an invaluable part of my very being. And above all, she taught me to follow my dreams, no matter how ridiculous they seemed, and no matter how much the powers-that be might try to push me down. And currently, I am studying cello performance at Baldwin-Wallace College with a $10,000 per year talent based scholarship. I believe I have Rachael to thank for that. (Posted by PnBoresource 03/07/2011)
Rachael is not just a cello teacher, but a mentor. She cares about her students deeply and gives them the right tools to develop their own sound and musicality. Whether cello is a hobby or a career choice, Rachael will help you along every step of the way. Before I met Rachael, I was ready to quit playing cello. She helped me fall in love with the cello again, and I was able to pursue cello as a career. I recently graduated from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins. Rachael has been an inspiration and help to me in so many ways. We still keep in touch, and I plan on always being around! (Posted by lisakang418 10/11/2011)