Started from nothing. Now plays in the Poway Symphony.
No experience, no background, just a decision to begin and the habit of not quitting.
A studio full of adults, many who started from scratch
Adult cello lessons. You are not uniquely bad at this.
You’re brave for even trying. In Daniel’s North County studio you’ll join other adult learners, play on supportive recitals, and work toward an ensemble of your own.
or call 818-970-1949
It’s like a golf course. Nobody is worried about how bad you are. They’re too busy worrying about how bad they are.
Adults learning together is the whole idea. Isolation leads to quitting; community keeps you playing.
Daniel Grab
Adults in the studio
Played at her mother’s celebration of life.
For her category of player, that performance was every bit as impressive as a Carnegie Hall debut.
Moms and dads on the recital program
Some parents of Daniel’s young students take lessons themselves and perform on recitals alongside the kids.
How to find out if this is for you
No pressure to do this forever. Just give it a real try.
- Rent a cello. Daniel will point you to a good local shop and the right size.
- Take a couple of months of lessons. Enough time to get past the awkward start and feel real progress.
- Play something simple on a recital. In a warm room that includes other adults. Daniel won’t put you up there until you’re ready.
“As an artist, actress, and filmmaker, I'm always hungry to learn more and I've worked with numerous coaches and mentors. I played the cello for barely a couple years as a teenager, and I wanted to play again as an adult... but I had forgotten so much. While I've kept my passion for the instrument alive in my heart, my body and mind had completely forgotten the language the cello speaks. Daniel is not only helping me re-learn that language, his guidance is also reinforcing my confidence and my love for this incredible instrument. I can't wait to continue the musical path I've started again and see where it takes me!”
Try a mini lesson now
A short bow exercise from Daniel: engaging different parts of the hand from frog to tip. It’s a taste of how he breaks technique into clear, doable steps.
More videosAdult learner questions
Something else on your mind? Call or text 818-970-1949.
I’ve never played anything. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Many of the adults in Daniel’s studio started from scratch. One, Fabienne, started from nothing and now plays in the Poway Symphony.
What’s the commitment?
No pressure to do this forever. To find out if it’s for you, rent an instrument and take a couple of months of lessons. By then you’ll likely be performing something simple on a studio recital.
Do I have to perform?
Recitals are part of the fun, and part of what keeps people going. But Daniel never puts anyone on stage who isn’t ready, and the audience is a supportive room that includes other adults.
Is there a group to play with?
That’s the goal. In Daniel’s experience, playing with others keeps adults going and isolation leads to quitting, so he works toward getting adult students into an adult learner ensemble.
Book your first adult lesson
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.