This issue includes detailed chronicles of our very successful first Cellospeak Studio event July 31 – August 2, 2020 with 70 participants over Zoom, a photo of Jack Page's home ensemble playing outdoors in the time of Covid, and a report on a new position for our Artistic Director, Bomin Collins. Read more in the full edition of our August 2020 NOTES. Find out more about our Cellospeak Studio program
Feature Article:
Cellospeak Town Hall, May 9, 2020
In the midst of the Covid-19 shutdown, Cellospeak held its first-ever Town Hall via Zoom on May 9, 2020, hosted by our Artistic Director, Bomin Collins. It was a smashing success. About 70 peopled registered, and at any one time we had over 50 people participating, from as far away as Washington, Florida, Arizona (100+ degrees), Maine (snow) and even Ireland! Everyone was happy to see each other’s faces and to have a chance to catch up. We also had significant participation from our wonderful faculty, including Bomin Collins, Louise Butler, Bob Battey,...
Featured Article, April 2020
Cello in the Time of Covid-19
In this stressful time of social distancing and covid-induced anxiety, we want to do our part to keep our cello-loving community strong and connected. We know that many of you are turning ever more fervently to your instruments for solace, comfort and joy – for yourselves and others. Some, like long-time faculty member Irina Tikhonova, have put on much-appreciated impromptu porch recitals for their neighbors. Yay Irina! (See this local news report on her concerts). For more inspiration, please revisit some of our awesome faculty’s 16 Cellos performances on YouTube, such as this...
Featured article, February 2020
Spotlight On...The Brobst Violin Shop
I recently visited Brobst Violins to meet the owners of this business who have been supporting Cellospeak for many years, and to learn a few things that would be of interest to our readers. The music I heard when I first walked into the store was irresistibly beautiful, even though it clearly did not come from a cello. In one of the large showrooms, Gerald Brobst was playing a violin, which he promised to tell me more about later. During our conversation he explained how this family business evolved over the past five decades,...
Featured Article, December 2019
Transition for Cellospeak
Introducing Cellospeak’s New Administrative Director, Susan "Sue" Manus
The Cellospeak Board was very disappointed that Susanna Mendlow decided to move on from her administrative role with Cellospeak to bigger and better things, but we are thrilled to announce that we have a new Administrative Director, Sue Manus! Sue, a resident of Arlington, Virginia, has a BA in Music from the Pennsylvania State University and an MA in Arts Management from American University. A well-trained musician, she is a violinist and freelance performer in the Washington, D.C. area, including with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and various chamber groups. She is...
Featured Article, September 2019
Workshop Chronicles
Like a well-oiled machine, the 2019 Cellospeak workshops took place at Bryn Mawr College from July 21 until August 3. Artistic director Bomin Collins and Executive Director Susanna Mendlow delivered another sterling two weeks of cello instruction, ensemble playing and musical delights with the help of the dedicated faculty and Gary Fitzgerald. This year’s workshops were somewhat saddened by the passing of Cellospeak’s founder, Dorothy Amarandos, on June 22, 2019. Nineteen years ago, Dorothy started the workshops to give adult cello students and players an opportunity to share their passion with, and learn from, a...