Hi. I’m Will Barrett.
I started the cello at 9 years old in my home town of Bangor, ME. My first cello teacher, Juan Condori, was a kind, gentile and patient soul. He helped me grow into a love of music through patient support and guidance. When he felt he could help me no further, he handed me off to my second teacher, Noreen Silver. Noreen is a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, and previously studied with Jaqueline du Pré and Pierre Forurnier. She taught me so much about feeling and musicality, much of which I didn’t understand until later in life. I was lucky then to attend Peabody Conservatory of Music for my undergraduate degree where I studied with Alan Stepansky, a former Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic. Alan broke my technique down and built it back up again, making me a much stronger player in the process. In the summers between the school terms at Peabody, I participated in a number of music festivals and had the joy of being coached by the Portland String Quartet, and for studying for some time with Peter Howard, a former principal of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - Peter taught me how to play with much more ease and fluency, and despite only working with Peter for a short time, I draw many lessons from his playing.
Teaching Philosophy
I teach to share the joy of music with others and to honor the tradition I’ve inherited from my great teachers. I use traditional methods and exercises that have worked for past generations to teach creative and emotive music-making. I work with my students to develop big ears, relaxed bodies, full hearts, and lively minds. My lessons include aspects of music theory, ear training, rhythmic exercises, and occasional singing to develop the concept of music in addition to the technique of playing the cello. I am to understand my student’s goals and be a helpful support and guide in their musical journey.