Tennessee Cello Workshop
January 31-February 2, 2025
The Tennessee Cello Workshop (TCW) is a three-day exploration and celebration of cello playing and music making. The Tennessee Cello Workshop encourages cellists of any age and proficiency level to participate. The unifying characteristic of all registrants is a great love for the instrument.
The TCW tradition of having outstanding cellist pedagogues on its roster continues. Our 2025 cello faculty includes, Dan Allcott, Horacio Contreras, Max Geissler, Kirsten Cassel Greer, John Kaboff, Natalia Khoma, Susan Moses, Sophie Shao, and TCW workshop director Wesley Baldwin.
The first 75 registered cellist participants for the three-day event, as well as the first 30 Suzuki workshop registrants who request to, may perform in a master class at the TCW. Interested cellists may also elect to participate in one of our four cello competitions (including the “uncompetition”). We round out our activities with concerts, group scale and technique sessions, cello ensemble activities, lectures on cello-related topics, movement classes, and the chance to observe the many TCW master classes. There is lots of cello playing throughout the weekend.
Embedded within the TCW is the half-day Suzuki Workshop, held on Saturday, February 1.
This shorter event is geared for younger Suzuki students and will include a Suzuki play-in, small group classes, technique classes, and a short group recital at the end of the afternoon. Note: cellists who have the maturity, drive, and stamina for the full 3-day event, are encouraged to register for the full 3-day TCW. The TCW gratefully welcomes and thanks our many sponsors, including the University of Tennessee College of Music and its Dean Jeffrey Pappas, and several wonderful violin shops. During the weekend TCW participants have the chance to get rehairs from Sarah Bystrom, as well as play a wide variety of instruments, bows, and accessories from our sponsoring violin shops who are able to be with us on campus that weekend. TCW participants will also have special access to our sponsors’ websites with discounts on music, cellos, bows, and accessories.. Many thanks to you, dear sponsors!
The camaraderie, inspiration, stimulation, growth, and joy of another TCW await you this January. Join us!
Schedule
The most current draft of the schedule for the main 2025 TCW can be found here.
The 2025 TCW Suzuki workshop schedule can be found here.
NOTE: All events will take place in the Natalie Haslam Music Center, on the corner of Pat Head Summitt and Volunteer Blvd. on the UT campus.
NOTE: Updates, schedules, and informational bulletins are being posted on Facebook, on the Tennessee Cello Workshop group site. Please join.
Faculty
Director
Wesley Baldwin, University of Tennessee
Guest Artist Cellists
Dan Allcott, Tennessee Tech University
Horacio Contreras, University of North Texas
Max Geissler, East Tennessee State University
Sophie Shao, University of Connecticut
Kirsten Cassel Greer, Vanderbilt University
Natalia Khoma, College of Charleston
Susan Moses, Indiana University
John Kaboff, The Kaboff Cello School
Hotel Information
There are many excellent hotels in downtown Knoxville, close to the UT campus. Five of them have offered special rates on blocks of rooms for TCW participants. NOTE: there is a limited number of rooms at the hotels at these rates. You are encouraged to book as early as possible to get these discounts.
Graduate Knoxville
Graduate Knoxville is offering rooms at a discounted rate of $149 for kings and $159 for double queen for attendees of the 2024 Tennessee Cello Workshop. Please use this booking link to make your reservation by January 4th. Reservations can also be booked by calling 865-437-5500.
The Downtown Knoxville Hilton
The Downtown Knoxville Hilton has a block of rooms discounted to $159 per night for TCW participants. To access the discounted rate online, use this link.
Embassy Suites Downtown
Embassy Suites Downtown has a block of rooms discounted to $199 per night for TCW participants. To access the discounted rate online, use this link.
Cumberland House Knoxville
The Cumberland House Knoxville has a block of rooms discounted to $199 per night for TCW participants. To access the discounted rate online, use this link. The cut-off date for the discounted rate is January 3, 2024. Please use 91F as the Group Code when booking.
Marriot Courtyard
The Courtyard Knoxville Downtown Marriot has a block of rooms discounted to $139 per night for TCW participants. To access the discounted rate online, use this link. The cut-off date for the discounted rate is December 25, 2023.
Contacts
Wesley Baldwin
The University of Tennessee College of Music
117 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
1741 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996-2600
Phone: (865) 974-0706
Cell: (865) 384-8108
E-mail: wbaldwin@utk.edu
Tracy Lindsey
Business Manager, UT College of Music
117 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
1741 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996-2600
Phone: (865) 974-7547
Email: viles@utk.edu