Mrs. Charmian Bartlett

Charmian is starting a new in-person class of young beginners in August 2022! Please contact her for information regarding Private Lesson availability and Group Lesson times. Summer Lessons are also offered in person, however families need to be vaccinated.

Charmian has many years’ experience teaching the cello to all ages, as well as playing in local chamber groups and in Seattle’s recording industry. She offers private cello lessons with individual instruction at her home in Woodinville, near Eastridge Elementary. Group lessons are also offered twice a month at Wooden Cross Lutheran Church in Woodinville. Parent involvement is required and there are multiple performance opportunities offered throughout the year.

Suzuki Approach to Learning the Cello:
The Suzuki Method is an approach to teaching music based on the belief that every child has the capability to learn to play an instrument beautifully and from this develop a life-long love of music. As well as developing the physical skills required to play the cello, the approach teaches the child how to work towards longer term goals, learn with others in a group class setting and enjoy being part of a music-loving community.

Parents play an important role in their child’s learning experience. A vital part of the Suzuki approach is having the parents attend all weekly private lessons where the student is taught a logical progression of skills, step by step, as well as beautiful cello pieces. These lessons are like a training session for the parent who then takes on the role of the home teacher between lessons. Group lessons are held twice a month, and they develop the child’s social, cello playing and performance skills, as well providing community connections for both students and parents.

Biography                                                                                                                       
Eastside Cello Teaching Studio, 2013-present: Private cello lessons offered to students of all ages. Students participate in local orchestras such as SYSO, BYSO and CYSO. Charmian’s students have successfully sat A.B.R.S.M cello examinations and been awarded college music scholarships.

Cello Coach: On staff at SYSO (Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra) Summer Camp; Vashon Island Cello Camp; Pacific Luther University Summer Cello Workshop; Northshore and Seattle Schools Chamber Music Coaching Programs.

Cello Performance: Played lead cello in the Sydney productions of “Phantom of the Opera” and “Miss. Saigon” at the Theater Royale in Sydney, Australia and toured the Solomon Islands with The Cove Chamber Orchestra. Currently plays in Seattle’s recording industry and has appeared on numerous sound tracks for video games and commercials.

Education: Bachelor of Music in Performance with merit from Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia; Graduated Student of the Year from Sydney Conservatorium of Music 1993; Associate of Sydney Conservatorium of Music with merit, Australia ; Licentiate of Music, Australia.