April 2021
2021 WORKSHOP UPDATES

In-Person Workshops Cancelled
In view of the concerns voiced at our March 5 Town Hall and after further consultation with our new venue, Old Dominion University (ODU) - which still has not released definitive safety protocols for next summer - we have reluctantly decided NOT to hold in-person workshops again this year. We know that many of you will be very disappointed, as are we. But our best judgment is that circumstances are still too uncertain, and time growing too short, for us to structure in-person workshops that will ensure everyone's safety. We hope you understand.

That said, we have already reserved the last two weeks of July 2022 at ODU in Norfolk, VA for Cellospeak Workshops as usual! Mark your calendars!!
New Virtual Studio Sessions Scheduled for July
Instead of our usual workshops, we are excited to offer all-new virtual Studio events that will be engaging and fun. We will present two distinct Studio programs, via Zoom, over separate 3-day weekends in July 2021. The Technique Studio will focus on personal lessons and skills. The Performance Studio will focus on rehearsals for one or more virtual group performances of Cellospeak arrangements. More details on applications, tuition and faculty, will be forthcoming shortly. In the meantime, below are general descriptions of the two sessions. Since the content for each Studio will be different, you will be able to sign up for just one weekend or both!
Technique Studio
July 16-July 18
  • Private lessons with faculty
  • Group technique classes
  • Trouble shooting breakout sessions by level
  • Special presentations
  • Faculty recitals
Performance Studio
July 30-August 1
  • Play-along duet classes
  • Topic presentations
  • Sectional rehearsals for virtual performance recordings
  • Special presentations
  • Faculty recitals
Introducing Artists in Residence
We are very excited to announce a new initiative of engaging prominent experts to provide our community with expanded information resources on cello music and performance. Cellospeak Artists in Residence are selected as sources of specialized knowledge. They will play a role different from that of our esteemed teaching faculty by contributing historical context and their own unique insights via periodical presentations and web posts. We look forward to creating a valuable reservoir of information on the cello to supplement our Workshops and Studios!
James Jacobs, our first Artist in Residence, is a radio host on WETA Classical FM, serving the greater D.C. area. James, a friend of our founder, Dorothy Amarandos, graciously served as the Master of Ceremonies for our May 2015 16Cellos Concert in Washington, D.C., and is extremely enthusiastic about Cellospeak and its mission. He plays cello, Baroque cello, viola da gamba, double bass and recorder, and is also a composer and conductor. James is incredibly knowledgeable about cello composers, repertoire and performances, and his discussions about them are wonderfully descriptive and accessible. Hear his fascinating WETA-FM Classical Breakdown podcast on the Haydn C Major Concerto. As an Artist in Residence, James will present unique perspectives on a wide variety of cello topics. More specifics on that are coming soon. For more background on James, visit his WETA Biography, and read this interesting extended profile in Arlington Magazine: Solace in A Minor.
Join Our New Email Group for Members:
Cello Scroll
To improve the accessibility and usefulness of our Member Forums, we are migrating them from our website to a new closed email group on the Groups.io platform called "Cello Scroll." It is exclusively for Cellospeak members, including faculty. It will provide an easy way for members to stay in touch and exchange information, including photos, documents, and a calendar of upcoming events. All members will be invited to join by email. After joining the group, you can choose your own settings for privacy and frequency of emails, or you can choose to just view the messages online. All messages will be shared only with the group. No information or email addresses will be shared with the general public. When invited to join, please give it a try! You can always opt out.

Don't miss this great new way to stay in touch! Become a member now!
Please contribute to our Tribute Book for Gary
Just a reminder that we are planning to honor Gary Fitzgerald with special coffee table Tribute BookWe invite you to submit any photos, personal thoughts, memories and accolades for Gary and we will compile them into a single beautiful book that he can review at his leisure. Please send contributions by May 1, 2021 by card or letter to Cellospeak, Inc., P.O. 5232, Arlington, VA 22205 or by email to info@cellospeak.org.
Cellospeak, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we rely on the support of our Donors and Members.
Don't forget to make your online purchases via Smile.Amazon.com and
designate Cellospeak as your preferred charity!