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Cello 🎻 lessons with

Britta Thomas

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Britta Thomas, Cello coach in Los Angeles
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Britta Thomas, Cello coach in Los Angeles
Britta Thomas — Cello lesson photo 2
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Pay $0 today$107per lesson after trial

Cello 🎻 lessons with

Britta Thomas

Get a free trial lesson
Get a free trial lesson
Pay $0 today$107per lesson after trial
✨

Britta is getting started on TeachMe.To. We don't yet have enough data to assign this coach a Happy Student Score, but you can read reviews left by their students.

We strictly vet every instructor so you can book with confidence. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

Coach Rating
5.0•6 reviews
✨

Britta is getting started on TeachMe.To. We don't yet have enough data to assign this coach a Happy Student Score, but you can read reviews left by their students.

We strictly vet every instructor so you can book with confidence. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

Coach Rating
5.0•6 reviews

About your cello coach

Hello all! My name is Dr. Britta Thomas, and I’m a cellist and educator based in Los Angeles, praised for my creativity and expressive strength on the cello. I have a deep love of new music and frequently collaborate with contemporary composers, premiering several works written for me and helping to expand the cello repertoire. As a passionate educator with over ten years of experience, I teach students of all levels and styles—from Suzuki to improvisation. My students have earned recognition in competitions and have even performed at Carnegie Hall. I’ve served as a cello and low strings coach for youth orchestras in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, led masterclasses, and adjudicated competitions. I’m originally from Montana and earned my Bachelor of Music from the University of Montana, followed by my Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I studied with Professors Fern Glass Boyd and Jennifer Kloetzel. I’ve received numerous awards and fellowships and performed with the Graduate Fellowship Trio. Beyond music, I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in German and am devoted to my pets, Tilda and Moo Moo.

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Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
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Levels: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
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Lives in: Los Angeles, California
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Years Playing: 24 years
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Given: 6 lessons

Britta's availability

Find a location and time that works for you

Britta's availability

Find a location and time that works for you

Private Studio (Britta T)

Free
1974.1 miles away

Availability on all locations

Near Los Angeles, California

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Accomplishments

➕Travels to you
➕Guest Artist/Adjunct Faculty at Westmont College
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonIn the first lesson, I like to start by getting to know the student — who they are, what excites them, and what drew them to the cello. Building a comfortable and encouraging rapport is the first priority. From there, we focus on posture and setup: how to hold the cello and how to hold the bow. Once the student feels comfortable with the basics, I introduce the left hand in a few different ways depending on their age, coordination, and learning style. Sometimes we even get to the first song during the first lesson — and sometimes we don’t, and that’s perfectly fine! The goal is always to build a positive foundation and spark curiosity for learning. At the end of the lesson, I’ll assign music for practice based on the student’s goals and available practice time. I’ll also ask them to bring a spiral-bound notebook to lesson two so that we can keep track of progress together.
Lesson 11+From lesson eleven onward, each student’s journey becomes more individualized. Progress depends on personal goals, interests, and the pace that feels right. I continue building on core skills while introducing new techniques and repertoire that keep learning exciting and meaningful.
Lesson 4-10Lessons four through ten depend greatly on the student’s motivation and available practice time. Some students are able to play up to six or seven scales by their tenth lesson and become nearly fluent in reading bass clef. Around lesson four, I formally introduce elements of the Suzuki method, though it’s not the only approach I use. I like to combine Suzuki principles with other materials and styles that keep students engaged — including music they already know and love. By around the tenth lesson, many students are ready to learn a melody from one of their favorite songs, which is always a fun and rewarding milestone.
Lesson 2-3By the second and third lessons, we start to establish a routine. My general teaching model includes scales, etudes, and repertoire — in other words, exercises that build technical foundation, studies that strengthen specific skills, and pieces of music that bring everything together in a creative and expressive way. That said, this structure always depends on the student’s age, experience level, and learning style. During lessons, we’ll refer to the student’s notebook to see how much they’ve practiced, answer questions, and set new goals. I demonstrate frequently and encourage students to step just slightly outside their comfort zone so they can grow without fear or frustration. Around the third lesson, I often begin introducing note reading if it feels appropriate and the student is ready for it.
Advanced training plan
Your first lessonEven with advanced players, I always begin by checking posture and bow hold — these fundamentals are essential at every level. From there, I like to get a sense of the student’s current abilities by having them play scales, etudes, and any repertoire they’re currently working on. This helps me identify their strengths as well as areas that could use more attention. After observing their playing, I tailor the lesson to their individual goals and technical needs. Whether the focus is refining tone, deepening musical interpretation, or preparing for auditions or performances, my aim is to help them advance confidently to the next level in their playing.
Lesson 11+After the eleventh episode, I require advanced students to schedule at least one performance within the following two months. These can be small gatherings with friends and family as long as it is an opportunity to showcase their hard work and give them a taste of what being a performer feels like. Again, I will mostly allow advanced players to choose which piece this is.
Lesson 4-10Once problem areas have been identified and goals have been set, advanced students have some autonomy in their repertoire choices. I will occasionally veto a piece of music that is not right, but I like helping advanced students find their own musical voice. Advanced players always work on scales, etudes, Bach, and somewhere between 1-3 pieces of standard repertoire.
Lesson 2-3In the next few goals we will begin to establish any holes or weaknesses in technique. Advanced players are often assigned multiple etudes to tackle any deficiencies. I draw mostly from Popper and Duport. By lesson three I like to have three goals the student would like to meet on the cello by certain periods of time.
Youth players
Working with kidsI love working with children, and my goal is always to make lessons engaging and fun. I incorporate games and creative activities to help them learn musical concepts while staying motivated. If a student needs a short break, we take one — I want them to associate the cello with enjoyment, not pressure. I also work to build mutual respect and give children a sense of autonomy in their lessons so they stay curious and invested in the instrument. I’m very sensitive to the individual needs of each child and have always had great success connecting with and inspiring young students.
Working with teenagersWhen working with teenagers, I focus on creating a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. I encourage them to take ownership of their musical development by involving them in goal-setting and repertoire choices, helping them stay motivated and connected to their progress. I balance structure with flexibility — providing technical guidance while also giving space for personal expression and exploration. My goal is to help teens build confidence, discipline, and a lasting appreciation for music in a way that feels meaningful to them.
What you need to bringA spiral bound notebook, their instrument and bow, and rosin. I will have back up rosin if needed, but I encourage my students to get their own.
What I can bringI will provide a piano bench, rock stop, and music stand.

Frequently asked questions

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  1. Cello
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Cello with Britta T.⭑ 5.0 (6 reviews)
How it works

Reputation

✨

Britta is getting started on TeachMe.To. We don't yet have enough data to assign this coach a Happy Student Score, but you can read reviews left by their students.

We strictly vet every instructor so you can book with confidence. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

Average rating
5.0
6 ratings•6 reviews
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Isabel
(Review is from the parent of a beginner, elementary aged student) Britta was the perfect teacher for my daughter when she began her cello lessons at the age of 6. Britta is an extraordinarily patient, kind, and engaging teacher with a great sense of humor.  My daughter always looked forward to her weekly lessons because it meant spending time with Britta. Britta made learning fun, which is the hallmark of an amazing teacher.  The customized lesson planning and progress management meant that my daughter was always improving and building her technique. I give her my highest recommendations.
Petra
I love Britta as my cello teacher because she’s cool and funny and always excited to teach. She helped me succeed in learning cello. You’ll love having Britta as a teacher because she’s cool, she’s kind, and brings the best prizes.
Claire
While preparing for my audition for. Carnegie Hall, Britta really helped me with both my solo piece and excerpts that were required. For my solo piece, she helped me understand the important of intonation l, pacing, and dynamics of the pieces. I truly appreciate all the advice she gave me and grateful for all her support.
Jay
I went in knowing nothing, and I left with real knowledge and skills. Britta made learning fun and interesting, and she even inspired me to want to go further into music. I honestly wish I had met her earlier, but I truly appreciate everything she’s done; not just for me, but for all of her students. - UCSB Freshman music student
Naomi
(Review from colleague) As a long-time colleague of Dr. Thomas, I am continually inspired by her compassion and attentiveness as a teacher. She takes the time to truly understand her students, adapting her cello curriculum to suit their interests and learning styles. Students of all ages can benefit from her wide-ranging studio offerings, which include ear training, theory instruction, and access to ensemble opportunities and studio class. I have also been fortunate to collaborate with Dr. Thomas over the years, and her creativity and professionalism as a multi-genre artist shine both on stage and in the teaching studio. For anyone seeking a knowledgeable, supportive teacher—or skilled cellist—Dr. Thomas is an excellent choice!
Laurie
(review from colleague) As a professional musician, I’ve had the opportunity to perform with Britta and it was always a delight! She’s a lovely cellist, very flexible and easy-going as an ensemble player, and brings a lot of expression to her music. I’m sad she’s moved out of my area so the chances to perform with her may be less frequent but I look forward to it nonetheless. She’s a gem!