During the pandemic or presently, lessons may occur in the studio or fully remote online via Skype, Facebook Messenger Video, Zoom, and Google Meet apps. The studio is very large and ample for on site, social distance learning, and/or outside in suitable weather.
Barbarossa says, "Get off the computer and put your cell phone down. Go practice & make music! "
Photo credit - David Furholmen, a devoted longtime former cello student and friend)
Gift Certificates - For a truly unique and valued gift, give a gift certificate for private lessons. Often family members select this option as a present to delight their loved ones on special occasions.
Meet the Professor: Look no further for consistent lessons, flexible schedules, good parental communication, & not getting bounced around between graduate student teachers every year. Lessons are available in person or online daily with flexible days and times (with exceptions for holidays). Study weekly, bi-weekly, or more when performance & audition deadlines loom. As a parent, I try to be flexible & understanding of student's and parent's busy schedules.
Students receive custom-tailored, supportive, and patient attention. Established teaching methods & materials are used, with adjustments to accommodate ages, technical levels, learning ability, concentration levels, & musical interests. Requests to learn classical, popular, film, or video game tunes are honored. Cellists are encouraged to seek opportunities to play in ensembles, chamber music, recitals, attend concerts, utilize recordings & videos, attend master classes & music camps to build skills, awareness, musical knowledge, personal networks, and fond memories. Lessons include music theory & history awareness, & focus on efficient, healthy playing. Students are encouraged how to practice, work effectively & independently, through adaptive instruction blended with moral support.
Need Practice Advice? E-mail me for 2 free, helpful articles. Expand sight reading abilities & overcome sight reading anxiety. Prepare for performance, auditions & competitions. Cover varied repertoires & styles. Develop a beautiful, strong tone. Learn orchestral survival tips. Learn facets of the "music business". Be versatile & learn positive lifelong benefits of studying & playing music.
Teaching Affiliations: Present: Cellobration Studio, Peoria Youth Music Illinois and East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra cello sectional coachings, Central IL CelloFest, auditions & regional competition adjudicator
Previous teaching affiliations: Wilkes College, Illinois Council of Orchestras Strings at Allerton Symposium, University of Illinois School of Music Guest Faculty/ISYM Summer Youth Music Camps/& OLLI Program, Illinois Wesleyan University & Summer Music Camps, Illinois State University Guest Faculty, Parkland Community College Guest Faculty, Conservatory of Central Illinois, Springfield Summer Strings Camp, & Eureka College Summer Arts Strings Festivals.
IWU Cello ensemble concert videos are on my YouTube Channel.
Mrs. Jeong- in Choi - "Thanks for your efforts and great cello lessons. Daniel really enjoys playing cello."
Kutasha Silva, DMA - Former UI Doctoral Student -"Maestra Hedlund, it is always such a delight to work and grow musically with you. Your mentorship and support during my time in CU has been tremendously valuable. I look forward to more lessons and/or future collaborations."
Keith & Michelle Singletary, UI Professor of Foods & Nutrition -Michelle and I want to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent and patient cello instruction you have given Larissa the past couple years. Your musical input has been outstanding. We consider it a privilege for her to have studied with you.”
Jenny Chi, Eastern Illinois University Art Professor/former cello student - “Last summer I thought I was just looking for a cello teacher, but she turns out to be a good friend & a good connection for my artistic career. Amazing! Thank you so much for your words of support & friendship. I will cherish them. I have learned a lot from you and made good steady progress in learning to play a difficult instrument. Getting to know you has been such a positive development in my life. At this minute I am gathering newspaper reviews & reports for my annual portfolio required for my tenure track evaluation. And guess what, I REALLY have to thank you. Half of my "accomplishments" are because of your referrals and connections. I just could not believe it!"
Mrs. Lani McAuley - "I can't tell you how much I am enjoying lessons with you. You are an awesome, caring, encouraging, generous, and kind teacher. I appreciate all your insights and loved playing with you. The best sign of a good teacher is if the student wants to do well at lessons....and you inspire me to do well and work hard (even if it doesn't come easily). I feel very lucky to have you as a teacher and can't thank you enough for your mentorship. Thank you, thank you!"
Mrs. Susan Boston - “You have great gifts as a teacher, administrator, communicator, and you're a good friend too. You're loaded!!
Dr. Chee Hyeon Choi, Instructor of Music in Residence at Bradley University - "I first collaborated with Ms. Hedlund through the music concert series she used to organize at Carle Hospital in 2012. Soon after, my son was fortunate to be her cello student for a year until we moved to another city. She has been extremely encouraging, patient, and influential teacher and mentor to my son even after we moved. Under Ms. Hedlund's guidance, my son was able to successfully make cello principal in East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra (ECIYO) and honor quartet, 3rd place in the Young Artist Baroque Competition and performed as one of the concerto soloists at the Eureka Summer String camp. She is such a dedicated teacher as much as attending almost every concert that my son was involved and gave invaluable feedback. Ms. Hedlund is also very resourceful in music scores and in connecting with other musicians that my son was able to obtain reliable scores and be introduced in other musicians to learn from. She frequently shared us with good performances, recordings and scores to enhance understanding. Her passion on teaching and performance exceedingly qualifies for college music faculty position. Her invaluable mentoring, insights of the music not only elevated my son's performance quality, but also greatly influenced me. I am a piano faculty at Bradley University, and I have performed with her 2 times of my faculty chamber recitals at Bradley in 2016 and 2017, and 3 trio performances on the Windsor of Savoy music series. Ms. Hedlund is an outstanding teacher, musician, collaborator, mentor, active performer, and a scholar. I believe she will be a great asset for your college."
Roger Garrett, IL Wesleyan University Professor of Clarinet, Director Concert Band, Titan Band & Symphonic Winds/emeritus May 2020, Principal Clarinet Peoria Symphony - "Our cello studio at IWU has never been as large as it was when you taught here. I attribute this to your good recruiting. Your work for the school was great.”
Dr. Robert Kvam, former Director Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music - “Mrs. Hedlund's students perform at a consistently high level and obviously enjoy their work with her. Her wealth of experience and broad knowledge of all types
of repertoire serve her well as both teacher and coach. We are indeed fortunate to have Barbara in this capacity."
The Late Jack Ranney, Professor Emeritus UI School of Music, Conductor CU Symphony Youth Concerts & Parkland Orchestra (1937- 2020) - “We received many positive comments about your coaching and clinic sessions. I feel this was one of our best symposiums based on the reactions of so many of the participants. Thank you again for your contribution to the success of the event.” Visit the Strings@Allerton Facebook page.
Christian Schrock, former Drake University Cello Professor & Orchestra Conductor - "I have often thought back on the way that you helped me prepare for the youth orchestra auditions right after I started studying with you [as my first cello teacher]. Your way of tailoring the "curriculum" to my method of learning and where I was as a player, rather than following a prescribed course through a method book has definitely shaped me as a player and also a teacher."
The late Dr. Robert Henderson, UI Professor Emeritus Special Education - “We appreciate your interest in Matt. I know the reason he continues with the cello is because he values you as a human being as well as a cello instructor.”
Ethan Chambers: "Thank you for the near decade I studied cello with you. Only now has it dawned on me how patient, understanding, and enriching you and that time and experience were. Now that I am older, I have truly come to understand how beautiful listening and playing music is. But I suppose I will only continue to appreciate music. Even more in years from now will the extent of your wisdom and aid to me hopefully will be something I will be able to pass on to others. With that said, I will continue to play the cello until I do not have the strength."
University of Illinois OLLI Course Evaluation "Beyond the Footlights at the Symphony":
Excellent Instructor - Encore! 'Hope Barbara makes this an ongoing course, year-round for years to come!
Instructor’s knowledge, friendly personality, willingness to include class member’s interests in the information.
She presents free exchange back and forth.
Learning about what I’d been curious about and didn’t know! Great!
What some of us didn’t have background for, Barbara kindly explained w/o talking down to us.
Insights into the concert process: From the performers, conductors and audience’s perspective, as well as her guests (Chicago Luthier WH Lee, UI Viola Professor Rudolf Haken, & Maestro Stephen Alltop).
Dress rehearsal at Krannert – CU Symphony & backstage visit
Unique stories - YES !!! history and people behind the scenes.
Details of her experience as a musician and orchestra member; descriptions of other instruments; visiting speakers, & more.
All with good humor.
Contact Barbara Hedlund - 9AM-9PM CST Daily | Music Studio - 505 Eliot Drive, Urbana, IL 61801- 6727,
C/Txt: 217-384-0874, No FAX | E-mail: vcello1@comcast.net