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For intermediate level adult cellists who are tired of grinding through repertoire alone. Join cellists from around the world as we build serious technique by playing music that you'll actually love playing. With me, Cello Guru Marcie Brown.

October 27th to 29th at 11 am PT
Classes are fifty minutes daily
I sat on an upside down milk crate, weaving magical phrases on my cello that swirled up into the warm evening air. I had been playing solo Bach for about three hours straight, and my fingers were beginning to tire. I hoped that I would be able to pay my rent with the quarters and the dollars that I had collected.
Across the street and beneath the cherry blossoms, a man stood, captivated by the magic of the music.
I was working on a master's degree at Manhattan School of Music by day and working the streets at night to pay my rent. I dragged my cello out there to Christopher Street a lot, and though I certainly loved playing, I definitely felt a lot of shame about playing on the streets. I thought it somehow meant that I wasn't any good at what I did. I thought if I could just learn to play perfectly, then maybe I could break into the high brow performing world of classical music and get off the streets. To finally dress in black velvet and perform on well lit stages for sold out audiences. That was my dream.
After completing the Bach, I took a breath and a few swigs of coffee that was laced with blackberry brandy. And then I launched into the opening theme of the Stamitz Viola Concerto.
I played that Stamitz brilliantly, ornamenting the melody with rich chordal harmonies, and adding lightning fast scales and arpeggios to the ends of phrases that had never been there before.
I looked up mid-phrase to see that my sophisticated music loving guy was still there, smiling and swaying to the beat in the moonlight.
I realized then that I had told a fantastic story on my cello, and that my story had touched someone.
My arms were exhausted. And my brain was foggy from exertion.
But I felt really good. Satisfied. Content.
On that warm night, in the heart of the greatest city in the world, for the first time, I knew that I had done something spectacular.
And it had nothing to do with where I was playing, or for whom.
I smiled and collected my money…
I know that there are lots of you cellists out there that aren’t playing as you would like to be. Maybe you are wondering if you will ever be good enough to be recognized as a serious cellist, or if anyone will ever feel touched by your music. Maybe you just aren't playing the music that you dream of playing...
But here’s what I learned from playing on the streets of New York City: When you actually show up, play your heart out and share your music with the world, that’s the magic right there. Sharing who you are in that moment...with whoever is listening. It doesn’t matter where you play, or who you play for.
If you just tell your story, as you are in that moment, the people will listen.
If you want to learn some interesting new cello music that will be fun to share with the world, and then share it with the world, come to the Movie Themes on the Cello Bootcamp,.
Get in now.
Tell your story.

Tired of grinding through classical pieces that never quite come alive?
What if you could develop a beautifully sustained tone, precise pitch and confident musical phrasing...while playing Titanic, Game of Thrones and Schindler's List?
This isn't fun music with sloppy technique. This is serious classical skill building through music that moves you.
In 3 days, you'll discover that rigorous technique and the joy of creativity are not opposites...they're partners in crime.
Here's the Simple 3 Step Method we will be using in this Bootcamp that has transformed the cello playing of hundreds of my students:
With this basic method, we can get better and better on the cello.
With these movie themes, we are going to learn to play beautifully and creatively.
SO FUN!
In this 3 Day Movie Themes on the Cello Bootcamp, we will be working through these three lovely compositions:
In this Cello Bootcamp you will:
Monday - Theme from Titanic:
You'll discover why this melody moves people to tears and how to capture that emotional power on your cello. We'll work on the kind of core-filled sound that makes audiences hold their breath. We'll tune you up with drone practice...and by the end of this class, you will play Titanic with a depth you didn't know was possible.
Tuesday - Schindler's List:
This piece demands the most beautiful, sustained sound your cello can produce. You'll learn to create those long, flowing, gorgeous musical lines that seem to float off into the air...The technique we explore will transform how you approach any slow, expressive composition.
Wednesday - Game of Thrones:
Energy, rhythm and creative freedom.
You'll discover how to make this driving theme come alive while learning to add musical and rhythmic motifs with confidence and abandon. Classical technique meets creative expression. Let's go!
Thursday: BONUS DAY ...yay! We will be working on Don't Cry for Me Argentina...it's hot off the press...we will be working on long legato phrasing on this tune...making sure you have found a sweet spot with your bow where the string rings madly throughout your house...we will also make your phrases long and flowing and beautiful...
Special bonus: Attend all four days and you're entered into our raffle to win a free private lessons...yesss!

Classical perfectionist burnout is a thing. But it doesn't have to be.
As cellists, we always dig deep into the technical studies that will help us to sound beautiful and fluid on the cello. Finding our phrasing, musicality and expression is very important. After working on the technical studies for our three movie theme pieces, we will be working on music theory on the cello. Finding the key, the chords, the arpeggios that will help you to ornament your melody and create your own version.
I hear from cellists all over the world that they are stuck on their classical pieces. In this three day workshop we are going to get you unstuck.
Through studying the theory behind the music and learning to read chord charts, a whole new world is going to open up for you.
Get ready, cellist.
Reserve your seat and let's go to Hollywood.
October 27th to 29th at 11 am PT
Classes are fifty minutes daily
I am really looking forward to the movie themed boot camp with the Cello Guru next week! I have found that hanging out with Marcie Brown and her peeps from all over the world helps me a lot!! It makes me more determined to stick with it and become the best I can be! Plus it's fun! It makes me feel better about myself and my cello playing. So it's a win win thing. It is for people of different playing levels so jump in!! Have some fun! -Teresa M., Las Vegas, NV

✅ Working on Pop, Jazz and Celtic Music on the Cello expands your horizons, stretches your brain and makes your heart sing. -Deb in Atlanta, GA
✅ Studying Lighter Music and Learning Music Theory on the Cello helps you play with others on different instruments, spices up a piece of music and it pushes you to be creative. - Bill in Denton, TX
✅ Playing Fun Music Like Movie Themes and Learning the Theory makes u versatile, makes u stand out as a musician and it broadens your musical sense -Judy in LA, CA
✅ Studying Chord Charts on the Cello allows you to join any combo or jazz ensemble to jam. -Charlotte in Rio, Brazil


“Just HAD to tell you how much I am loving this weeks Cello Bootcamp. Wonderful program and instruction. Fabulous classes. Thank you!”
-Katherine E.,
Moss Beach CA

"Marcie is an incredibly hardworking teacher and personal coach. She is a cheerleader, and she helps to elevate a whole group of cellists…” -Peg T.,
Duluth, MI

“Last weeks Cello Bootcamp was amazing! Many thanks to you for the effort, hard work and love you to put into this program. It was so worth attending!”
-Peggy M., Madison, WI

" These Cello Bootcamps and the Cello Guru Programs are fabulous. Many thanks for all you do!
-Vanessa E., Queensland, AU

"I didn't know if I could do it. But I am..." -
April M.,
Orlando, FLA

"I'm a different cellist now because of these cello programs."
- Patricia S.,
Owosso, MI

"I was stuck, but now I'm not." -Susan S.,
-San Jose, Costa Rica

"Love the Cello Guru. I am constantly inspired!”
Jane G. ,
- San Jose, CA
The combination of classical technique, music theory and creative freedom transforms cellists.
Now it's your turn to transform your cello playing... with music that you actually love playing...
Please reach us at marcie@marciebrown.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
A: You won't be doing scary jazz improv! I'll teach you music theory on the cello and how to read chord charts slowly, step by step. It's structured and safe. Think of it as understanding the why behind the music, and not just reading dots on a page. You will be amazed at how much you already know and how much more you can create with the abilities that you already possess. Yesss!
A: If you are intermediate (around Suzuki Book 2-3 level and up), you've totally got the technique needed. I'll teach you the rest - the music theory, the creativity and the confidence.
A: You will get access to the replays for a year. But the magic happens live - that's where you get real-time feedback and connect with other really cool cello community from around the world.
A: YES! The techniques we work on (sustained sound, precise and pure pitch, rhythmic drive to create a groove, understanding chords and chord structure) will enhance everything you play - including your classical pieces. My students always tell me their solo Bach sounds way better after learning improvisation and music theory on the cello. And mine does too!
A: This is VERY serious cello technique work. It just happens to be through playing music that you love. Titanic demands gorgeous sustained tone from frog to tip. Schindler's List won't let you fake emotional phrasing. And Game of Thrones requires rhythmic precision to create and keep the groove going. We're doing hard work - it just doesn't feel like drudgery.
Some are in Australia. Some are in Spain. Some are in Costa Rica. Some are in Michigan, some are in Florida and some are in Arizona. They are all taking the leap and choosing to build serious technique through music that moves them.
By Wednesday, October 29th, you will be a different cellist. One who understands music in a deeper way. One who can make these lovely movie themes your own. One who remembers why you fell in love with the cello in the first place.
October 27th to 29th at 11 am PT
Classes are fifty minutes daily
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