Our Cello Community
Helen Neilson’s Suzuki Cello Group Southwest London SW18
Helen Neilson’s Suzuki Cello Group Southwest London SW18
Helen Neilson with “Phoenix”, July 2022. Photo courtesy of Alessandro Gavazzeni.
SUNDAY 4th February 2024: Cello Orchestra and Vamoosh Play Day with Thomas Gregory and Helen Neilson – please visit the “Wider Community Events” page on this site and click on “Event Details” to get full information, or view the event on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vamoosh-and-cello-orchestra-play-day-tickets-775050295297
Bookings extended until Friday 2nd February.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
“Our Cello Community” is a group programme run by Helen Neilson for cello students learning with the Suzuki Method. We run regular group sessions on Saturday mornings in Wandsworth Town, SW18, 6 Saturdays a term, with occasional larger events which will be open to the wider cello community. The core group of students also have individual lessons with Helen Neilson in SW4, and students of other Suzuki teachers are welcome too.
The belief behind the work here is that students learn from their environment, and that the learning process is most humane and best supported when children are able to learn from being together with other children in a consistent and stable environment. We are working in a thorough, systematic and logical way, and ideas are presented in a holistic and child centred way, bringing a sense of fun to the learning process too as we work. Parents are usually present in lessons, and learn together with their child, sharing the journey of the process of the work together. Group lessons are open to cello students from the earliest stages of their cello playing journey who are also having individual lessons with a Suzuki teacher; applications from advanced level students learning in different pathways at grade 6+ level are also welcomed. Most students are aged 4-18.
“Man is the son of his environment.” – Dr Shinichi Suzuki
Our programme includes cello repertoire groups covering both Suzuki core repertoire and wider supplementary repertoire; cello ensemble sessions for students who have started on their reading journeys; musicianship sessions and a massed cello Playtogether session where all cellists come together with Helen. We have a break time in the middle of the morning where all families can talk together and the children can play, further developing the social bonds of our group.
Our work is designed to give young cellists strong and secure all round foundations so that they can develop as players and musicians in a way which is built to last, supporting them on their musical journeys throughout their lifetime.
Our group lessons are designed to complement and support the work being done in their regular individual lessons with a registered Suzuki teacher. All families joining must be members of the London Suzuki Group, which automatically includes British Suzuki Music Association membership. This allows the children to participate in the wider Suzuki community events and courses, and parents are supported with informative regular magazines. Parents of more advanced students working at grade 6+ levels learning in different pathways who are willing to do some preparation work in advance of sessions are also welcome to contact Helen to ask about the possibility of joining.
“Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.” – Dr Shinichi Suzuki.