Daniel Grab, cellist and teacher
Nearly 20 years of teaching, highly developed and tested ideas about technique, and a performing career that keeps him on stage.
A teacher for every kind of student
Daniel coaches beginners through college-level players. His advanced students win competitions, perform as soloists with orchestra, hold principal chairs in local youth orchestras, and earn places in All-Southern and SDUSD Honors orchestras and college music programs. One student is headed to Carnegie Hall; others have played Zipper Hall at the Colburn School.
Just as important to him are the students whose wins don’t show up on paper: the kids who grow to love music and keep playing, and the adults who start from scratch and end up on stage.
Trained by the nation’s finest teachers
Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree and graduate certificate from the University of Southern California and a master’s from California State University, Northridge. He studied with Richard Aaron at ENCORE School for Strings, and with Ronald Leonard, Eleonore Schoenfeld, Alexander Suleiman, Andrew Cook, Rachael Lonergan, Dr. Richard Naill and Diane Roscetti.
During three semesters in USC’s Midori Chamber Music Seminar, he performed string quartets with concert artist Midori Goto and violinist Brendan Speltz, now of the Escher Quartet. In 2014 he joined the cello faculty at Luzerne Music Center in New York, performing with principal players of the Sarasota Orchestra, Elizabeth Pitcairn, and New York Philharmonic assistant concertmaster Michelle Kim.
On stage
Daniel has subbed with the San Diego Symphony and performed as a soloist with the San Fernando Valley Symphony, the Poway Symphony and the Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra. He has performed chamber music internationally in Burgos, Spain, is a founding member of the Leucadia Trio and Trio Aquarelle, and appears in Candlelight concerts on the USS Midway with the Listeso Quartet.
Off the clock
In his free time Daniel explores the Southern California coastline in pursuit of uncrowded waves, sometimes taking one of his cello students along.
Hear him first, then book.
Listen to Daniel play, then set up a first lesson for yourself or your child.
Book a first lesson with Daniel
Tell Daniel a little about who’s learning. He reads every note himself and will reply to set up a first lesson that fits your schedule.
- Every goal is welcome. Competitions and college auditions, school orchestra, or simply loving to play.
- Nearly 20 years of teaching, with tested methods for technique from the first bow hold to the concerto.
- In North County San Diego or online, whichever suits your week.
Request a first lesson
Takes about a minute. Fields marked optional can be skipped.