School orchestra · SDYS, CYO & MMYO auditions · Lifelong playing
Cello lessons that grow a love of music.
Not every kid needs to be a competition-winning superstar with a tiger mom. Daniel helps young cellists in North County San Diego feel at home in orchestra, pass the auditions they care about, and keep playing for life.
or call 818-970-1949
I’m not going to beat the love of music out of your kid by making them feel like they’re bad at it.
Maybe that happened to you in childhood piano lessons. You don’t want that for your kid, and neither do I.
Daniel Grab
What lessons help with
Feeling at home in school orchestra
Knowing the part, owning the sound, and enjoying rehearsal instead of hiding in the back of the section.
Passing the audition for SDYS, CYO or MMYO
Focused preparation for the private youth orchestras that make playing social, challenging and fun.
A pursuit that continues
Achievable weekly goals that keep practice positive, so playing becomes part of who they are.
The voicemail from Jen
Years after Daniel had left Los Angeles, a voicemail arrived from Jen, a former student. She had kept playing all through high school, and at Caltech she’d found a chamber music elective.
“Some of my most satisfying accomplishments as a teacher don’t translate to accomplishments on paper,” Daniel says. “Fostering a love of music, and supporting the pursuit so it continues, is the point.”
Finding the sweet spot
For most of us, the sweet spot isn’t a career in music, with all the uncertainty that comes with it. (If your child feels called to that, Daniel will support it all the way.)
It’s a relationship with music that enriches life at every stage, and that’s flexible enough to bend through busy seasons, new schools and growing up.
“Daniel is an excellent music instructor. Our daughter's playing has improved significantly under his tutelage. Daniel's teaching style is very adaptive. He sets achievable goals that simultaneously improve the student's skills and maintain a positive attitude towards the rigors of practicing. During her time with him, she achieved first chair in the top orchestra at her middle school. She has also recently been accepted as an incoming freshman in the top orchestra at her high school. We look forward to our daughter continuing her lessons with Daniel.”
From parents
“I highly endorse Daniel Grab. He is a superb cello teacher and performer. He taught my son, Ernie Jr. (pictured) for four years, and in that time Ernie made unbelievable advances as a cellist and as an overall musician. Daniel possesses great qualities that every cellist wants in a teacher, brilliantly communicating his fully in-depth understanding and mastery of the cello. Having been a cellist myself for many years, I have received professional instruction from many well-known cellists, and Daniel Grab’s teaching compares quite favorably.”
“Thank you, Mr. Daniel, for being an all-around excellent cello teacher for our son! We admire Mr. Daniel for his patience, knowledge, dedication, and laid-back attitude. We enjoy attending Mr. Daniel’s public performances and totally adore his magician-like performance as a cellist. During private lessons, he gets down to the level of our 10-year-old son, who had no prior serious musical training or family background in music whatsoever. Mr. Daniel is very knowledgeable about music in general. He is dedicated to his performance as well as his students’ progress. He is both serious and funny. He speaks the truth at a level that a 10-year-old can understand. He patiently explains repeatedly what is important for our son’s progression. Some of these messages are specific to the cello, yet most are applicable to other areas of his life to succeed at whatever may be the goal in the future. Mr. Daniel is indeed a young professional to whom our son looks up. Beginning with a magical first lesson, where our son learned for the first time how to read music, until now, seven months later, as he is practicing advanced techniques, we are delighted with his highly professional teacher.”
Parent questions
Something else on your mind? Call or text 818-970-1949.
My kid isn’t a prodigy. Is that okay?
Completely. Not everyone has to be a competition-winning superstar. Daniel’s goal is a student who is comfortable, keeps improving and keeps playing, through high school and beyond.
Can lessons help my child feel more confident in school orchestra?
That’s one of the most common goals. Students gain comfort with their part, their sound and their place in the section, and many move up. One reached first chair in the top orchestra at her middle school.
Can you help my child pass an audition for SDYS, CYO or MMYO?
Yes. Daniel prepares students for youth orchestra auditions including San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS), CYO and Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra (MMYO).
What if my child wants to pursue music seriously later?
Daniel will support it fully. His advanced students win competitions and go on to college music programs. See advanced lessons.
Book your child’s first lesson
I look forward to meeting you and your family. Tell me a little about your cellist and I’ll be in touch.
Daniel
- 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.