Glenna Curren

Hello and welcome! I've been passionate about teaching cello for most of my life, and have invested extensively in building and refining my pedagogical approach. I have 25 years of experience teaching cellists from many backgrounds, ages 4-80, from complete beginners to cellists preparing for professional careers. I am currently based in the Netherlands, and teach both in person and online.

I previously spent 10 years teaching cello full time, running a large private cello class and building cello departments in community music schools and universities music programs in New York State. I teach both "modern" (classical) and baroque/historical cello, and have given masterclasses and workshops on historically-informed style for students of different agegroups.

My young students have frequently been selected for competitive regional youth orchestras and placed in leadership roles. My adult students, who generally come to me to cultivate an enjoyable hobby, thrive and find meaning and community through making music.

I am also also an active performer, currently leading a career around Europe playing mainly historical instruments. I have won international prizes as a chamber musician and continuo player, and have performed with leading historical instrument ensembles around Europe including Orchestra of the 18th Century, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, and Gaechinger Cantorey.

My teaching approach is friendly, direct, creative, supportive, and inclusive. I am a "down-to-earth" person and I approach my students with compassion and humor. I really enjoy the collaborative problem-solving process with each unique student, and strive to create an atmosphere where my students feel safe to experiment and try new things. I balance sharing my enthusiasm for the artistic aspects of making music with rigorous attention to building a strong technical foundation.

I specialize in "healthy playing" for injury prevention, working with neurodivergence and hypermobility, and historical style. 

If you are an adult beginner unsure if you should take the leap, please feel welcome! I have helped many older adults start their cello journey and add a meaningful practice to their lives, and I enjoy the unique process of learning at this stage of life.

I have also worked with many adult students coming to music as part of a healing process or recovery program. For those who wish, I am skilled at helping students integrate tools such as mindfulness, breathing exercises/nervous system regulation, and somatic grounding into their cello practice. A cello practice can be a powerful context for working on rewiring the brain away from stress responses - which is not only helpful for managing muscle tension and performance anxiety, but can also positively impact many other areas of life.