About the Studio
Celine Gietzen provides outstanding cello instruction to students of all ages and levels. Based in Camarillo, the studio serves all of Ventura County.
Students routinely participate in recitals, adjudicated festivals, and evaluations. They win competitions and are chosen to perform in honor orchestras.
Questions? Email us!
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Teaching Philosophy
I believe it is important for a teacher to be supportive, encouraging, and kind. In my experience, positive reinforcement is more effective than negative. I see each student as a whole person with unique talents and goals. Instruction is tailored to each individual’s needs and interests. While some of my students are very serious about their study of music, others take music lessons as a hobby that brings joy to them for the rest of their lives. There is room for both kinds of students in my studio.
A good teacher must be firm without being overly critical. I aim to recognize the talent and capacity of students I teach in order to help them overcome their limitations and realize their potential. There is a fine line between bringing out the best in a student and giving them more than they are capable of, resulting in frustration.
In dealing with children, it is important to be a good role model so the student sees a responsible adult they respect and an accomplished musician they admire. Qualities that encourage this respect include consistency, dependability, organization, and an even temperament. My adult students impress me with their courage to be a beginning or intermediate student, willing to engage in the challenging tasks of learning and growing through practice and performance. Music adds so much depth and richness to their lives, and they need to feel safe in an environment where they can enjoy their progress, and make mistakes without being judged.
I see teaching as an inspiring challenge, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with committed students. —Celine Gietzen
Studio Policies 2024-25
Tuition & Fees: Monthly Tuition: Please email for current rates (30- 45- or 60-minute lessons)
Materials Deposit: $100 ~ Late Payment Fee: $10 ~ Returned Check Fee: $20
Payments: Tuition is due the first week of the month for the upcoming month of lessons. The late fee is charged if payments are not received by the 10th of the month. No lessons are scheduled five weeks out of the year, listed on the studio calendar. These breaks do not affect the monthly tuition. Students may skip a maximum of one month per year with no tuition due. Cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle are accepted.
Missed Lessons: If I need to cancel your lesson, I will arrange a mutually agreeable private make-up time. If you are unable to attend your lesson, there are two options. The lesson can be held remotely on FaceTime or Zoom. This works well for students who have a transportation problem or are slightly ill (too sick to come for the lesson but well enough to take it from home). I also offer a group make-up class as a make-up option. I hold make-up classes at least once per month which you may attend any time you miss a lesson. This may be in person or on Zoom. Email me that you would like to attend a class, and I will let you know the schedule. No-shows are ineligible for a make-up class. There will be no private make-up lessons despite the reason for student cancellation.
Deposit for Materials & Festivals: I provide sheet music and accessories for your convenience and to ensure that you have the editions I prefer. A $100 materials deposit is collected, which is used to pay for music and application fees for festivals, recitals, and competitions. Periodically you will be asked for an additional payment to replenish the balance. If you discontinue lessons, your balance will be refunded.
Studio Programs: An annual studio calendar is available, as well as a description of programs. Recitals and festivals are optional but highly recommended. Participation often means committing to the date months in advance. Please don’t agree to participate unless you can make that commitment. I reserve the right to use your image, likeness, and performances on my website for promotional purposes. Notify me if you would like your name omitted.
Expectations of Parents & Students: It is the student’s responsibility to bring all current materials to each lesson, to follow the written lesson assignment when practicing, and to complete written assignments. The parent’s responsibility is to set aside the time and workspace for daily practicing, and to ensure that the student practices five or six days per week and completes written assignments. Parents may observe lessons at any time. It can also be helpful for students to have some lessons without the parent present.
Auditions: As my student, you represent my teaching. If you plan to play in public or for an audition, tell me in advance so we can prepare properly and choose the appropriate material. If you are interested in finding a different teacher, please let me know so I can prepare you to audition and recommend one of my colleagues based on your individual needs and abilities.
General: You can enter without knocking at your lesson time. Pick up your child promptly, and please don’t honk the horn. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns so I can do my best to help you succeed in your study of music!
Biography
Celine Gietzen attended the Cleveland Institute of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the nation, with a merit-based scholarship as a student of Alan Harris. In 1997 she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance and was elected to the Dean’s List. She received a Master of Music degree from UCLA on full scholarship in 2009 as a student of Antonio Lysy. One of her most influential teachers has been Dr. Richard Naill of the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Mrs. Gietzen has performed professionally in many orchestras and chamber groups. She has been engaged to perform solo and chamber music recitals by many organizations including the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC), the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, the Arrowhead Arts Association, and the Classical Encounters Foundation. She has also performed alongside such popular artists as Harry Connick Jr. and Donna Summer. Mrs. Gietzen has been teaching since 1986, and she currently has a full studio of private cello students in Camarillo. She is also a faculty member of the Junior Chamber Music program. Her students have been awarded college scholarships, have won competitions, have received honors in the Certificate of Merit program, regularly achieve principal chair in student orchestras, and have been chosen to perform in the MTAC state convention. She has adjudicated for competitions, scholarship auditions, ASTACAP, and the MTAC Certificate of Merit program. Mrs. Gietzen published a series of 48 music theory workbooks for violin, viola, cello, and bass entitled Core Music Theory for String Players. These are being sold throughout the United States. She is an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, The American String Teachers’ Association, and The Suzuki Association of the Americas. Mrs. Gietzen performs on a cello made in 1990 by Hans Benning.
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Training
Education
University of California, Los Angeles: Master of Music in Cello Performance
The Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance
Santa Monica High School: Diploma
Primary Teachers
Dr. Richard Naill, The Colburn School of Performing Arts
Antonio Lysy, University of California, Los Angeles
Alan Harris, The Cleveland Institute of Music/Eastman School of Music
Mark Schroeder, The Cleveland Institute of Music/Northwestern University
Nancy Yamagata, The Colburn School of Performing Arts
Conductors/Chamber Music Coaches
Peter Salaff; The Cavani String Quartet: Annie Fullard, Mari Sato, Kirsten Docter, Merry Peckham; Carl Topilow; Gary Gray; William Ponce; Richard O’Neill; Neal Stulberg; Louis Lane; Vivian Weilerstein; Manuel & Sara Compinsky; James Stern; Richard Allen; Kay Stern; Richard Rintoul; Mehli Mehta; Marcia Ferritto; The Pacific Trio.
Participation in Master Classes led by:
Joel Krosnick; Peter Oundjian; Abram Loft; Ron Leonard; Lynn Harrell; Daniel Rothmuller; John Walz; Jeffrey Solow; Eleanore Schoenfeld; Hans Jorgen-Jensen; Irene Sharp; Bonnie Hampton; Richard Aaron; Members of the Cleveland Orchestra; The Guarneri String Quartet; Heidi Castleman; Ayke Agus; and others.
Performance Experience
Orchestral Experience
Assistant Principal Cello, Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra
Section Cello, UCLA Philharmonia
Section Cello, Santa Maria Philharmonic
Principal Cello, Moorpark Symphony Orchestra
Principal Cello, Ventura Master Chorale
Principal Cello/Section Cello, Ventura College Symphony Orchestra
Principal Cello, Kent State University Symphony Orchestra
Section Cello, Cleveland Institute of Music Chamber Orchestra
Section Cello/Rotating Principal, Cleveland Institute of Music Symphony Orchestra
Section Cello, American Youth Symphony
Principal Cello, Colburn Chamber Orchestra
Principal Cello, Santa Monica High School Symphony Orchestra
Section Cello, All-State California High School Honor Orchestra
Section Cello, All-Southern California High School Honor Orchestra
Principal Cello, Meremblum Community Senior Orchestra
Principal Cello, All-Southern California Junior High School Honor Orchestra
Other performance Experience
Solo and chamber music performances sponsored by: The Sunday Sonata Series, Classical Encounters, The Arrowhead Arts Association, Fiori Musicali, The Third Wednesday Concert Series, The Music Teachers’ Association of California, Mountain Musicales, Women of Note, Ventura Presbyterian Church, Il Cenacolo Italiano, Ladies Choice String Quartet, Ventura County Bar Association, Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, The Camarillo Arts Council, Santa Paula Unitarian Church, Mount Cross Lutheran Church, and Ventura Unitarian Church.
Many popular concerts including Harry Connick Jr., Shardad Rohani, and Donna Summer
Teaching and Adjudicating
Teaching Experience
Private Cello Instructor, all ages and levels
Coach, Junior Chamber Music
Cello Teacher, Several Ventura County middle schools including the Cabrillo Middle School and Lindero Canyon Middle School cello sections
Cello Faculty, Portage String Academy, Kent, Ohio
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Kent State University
Middle School String Director/Private Instructor, The Agnon School, Cleveland, Ohio
Coach, Santa Monica High School Symphony Cello Section
Coach, Lincoln Junior High School Cello Section
Adjudicating Experience
Evaluator for MTAC Certificate of Merit program
Adjudicator for festivals and competitions in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Teaching Accolades
Students have earned college scholarships, won competitions, received honors in the Certificate of Merit and ASTACAP programs. They are often seated principal chair in student orchestras, and have been chosen to perform at the MTAC state convention.
Professional Activities
Professional Organizations
American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC)
Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA)
Community Involvement
Board Member, Music Teachers’ Association of California (Pleasant Valley-Ventura County Branch)
Tutor, Adult Literacy Program of the Ventura County Library Association
Founder and participant, The String Teaching Project (outreach assemblies for children)
Festivals/Special Programs
Access to the Arts, outreach performances, Cleveland, Ohio
Intensive String Quartet Program, The Cleveland Institute of Music
Sonata Class with Vivian Weilerstein, The Cleveland Institute of Music
Summer Festival, Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts
Santa Monica College Chamber Music Festival
The National Cello Institute, Claremont, California
Honors and Awards
Competitions/Scholarships
University of California, Los Angeles: Merit-based full tuition scholarship
The Cleveland Institute of Music: Merit-based tuition scholarship
Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts Summer Festival: Young Artist’s String Program Scholarship, full tuition and fees
Santa Monica High School: Concerto Competition, winner and soloist
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica: Winner for five consecutive years (alternating Grand Prize and 1st Prize)