Tennessee Cello Workshop
January 26-28, 2024
The Tennessee Cello Workshop (TCW) is a three-day exploration and celebration of cello playing and music making. The Tennessee Cello Workshop encourages all interested 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. For 2024 our cello faculty includes Ilya Finkelshteyn, Dan Allcott, Khari Joyner, John Kaboff, Susan Moses, Steven Pologe, Brooks Whitehouse, Paul York, 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, January 27. 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: younger 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 2024 TCW can be found here.
The 2024 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
Ilya Finkelshteyn, Principal Cellist, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; cello faculty, CCM
Khari Joyner, Baldwin Wallace University
Brooks Whitehouse, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Paul York, University of Louisville
Susan Moses, Indiana University
Steven Pologe, University of Oregon
Dan Allcott, Tennessee Tech University
John Kaboff, The Kaboff Cello School
Hotel Information
There are many excellent hotels in downtown Knoxville, close to the UT campus. Two of them have offered special rates on blocks of rooms for TCW participants. NOTE: there is a limited number of rooms at both hotels at these rates. You are encouraged to book as early as possible to get these discounts.
Graduate Knoxville
Graduate Knoxville is offering 20 rooms at a discounted rate of $139 for Kings and $149 for Queen/Queen for attendees of the 2023 Tennessee Cello Workshop. Please use this booking link to make your reservation by January 5th. Reservations can also be booked by calling 865-437-5500 and giving promo code CEL270123.
Once the block is full, attendees can use Graduate Knoxville’s UT Visitor Discount at this link.
The Downtown Knoxville Hilton
The Downtown Knoxville Hilton has a block of rooms discounted to $103 per night for TCW participants. The group code is TNCWS for anyone who may need to make reservations over the phone. To access the discounted rate online, use this link.
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
Jeanine Wilkison
TCW Director of Operations
Phone: (865) 963-7815
Email: jeaninewilkinson@gmail.com
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