Competitions · Concertos · College auditions
Advanced cello lessons for students who want to win.
If your student is willing to put in the time in the practice room, Daniel will take them to the highest level: competition wins, solos with orchestra, and a place in a college music program.
or call 818-970-1949
With a talented, hard-working student, results come every time we get together.
I’m the teacher in San Diego County to take your student to the highest level. Bring the practice; I’ll bring nearly 20 years of tested ideas about technique.
Daniel Grab
What Daniel’s students have done
On stage
- Carnegie Hall: Cameron’s upcoming performance
- Zipper Hall at the Colburn School
- Solo performances with orchestra
Honors and youth orchestras
- All-Southern Honor Orchestra
- SDUSD Honors Orchestra
- Principal chairs in local youth orchestras, including SDYS Symphonic Strings
Competition wins
- LA Cello Society Scholarship Competition, first place
- MTAC Concerto Competition, first place
- MTAC Bach Festival, first place
- San Diego Cello Society Young Cellist Competition
- MTAC VOCE
Scholarships
- Colburn Music Academy
- Aspen Music Festival
- Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences
- Center Stage Strings
- University of Colorado Boulder
A teacher with the pedigree to get you there
Studied with
- Richard Aaron, at ENCORE School for Strings
- Ronald Leonard
- Eleonore Schoenfeld
- Alexander Suleiman
- Andrew Cook · Rachael Lonergan · Dr. Richard Naill · Diane Roscetti
Institutions
- University of Southern California, B.M. and Graduate Certificate
- Midori Chamber Music Seminar at USC, with Midori Goto
- California State University, Northridge, Master’s
On stage himself
- Substitute cellist, San Diego Symphony
- Soloist with the San Fernando Valley Symphony
- Soloist with the Poway Symphony
- Soloist with the Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra
- International chamber music, Burgos, Spain
“I began studying with Daniel after receiving my bachelor's degree from CSUN in cello performance. After working with some of the city's top teachers over the years I can say Mr. Grab has true teaching talent, a refined ear, and is an all around great guy. The gains I saw in my playing were immediate and long-lasting. I recommend anybody trying to take their playing to the next level consider working with Daniel.”
“Daniel possesses great qualities that every cellist wants in a teacher, brilliantly communicating his fully in-depth understanding and mastery of the cello.”
Serious-student questions
Something else on your mind? Call or text 818-970-1949.
What does the advanced curriculum include?
Scales and etudes every week, Daniel’s tested approach to technique, solo and concerto repertoire, and targeted preparation for competitions, youth orchestra seating, All-Southern and honors orchestras, and college auditions.
How much practice does this take?
Real practice-room time, every day. Daniel’s promise is simple: when a talented student puts in the work, the results follow, every time.
Can you help with college and pre-college applications?
Yes. Daniel’s students have earned acceptance and scholarships to university music programs across the country, as well as Colburn Music Academy, Aspen Music Festival, Crossroads School and Center Stage Strings.
Book a first lesson for your serious student
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.