Traditional and Suzuki Cello
HCD Music
Hartt Community DivisionEducation
GPD, The Longy School of Music of Bard College
MM in Cello Performance and Music Theory, The Hartt School
BM in Cello Performance and Music Education, Chapman University
Elizabeth Vysin began her musical studies in the fourth grade on violin but harbored secret thoughts about the cello until age 15, finally making the switch. She now enjoys cello as her primary instrument but still loves to play, learn, and teach violin and viola in addition to cello.
A dedicated teacher, Elizabeth has taught violin, viola, cello, and chamber music through the collegiate level. She enjoys teaching both traditional and Suzuki lessons and, in addition to HCD, is on faculty at Ridgefield Suzuki School, the Kent School, and maintains her own private studio.
Elizabeth earned a BM in Cello Performance and Music Education from Chapman University, a MM in Cello Performance and Music Theory from The Hartt School, a GPD from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, and will soon be receiving her DMA in Cello Performance from The Hartt School. Her primary teachers have been Terry King, Blake Brasch, Mihai Tetel, Roger Lebow, and Robert Becker. Elizabeth is a registered Suzuki teacher in cello and violin, having completed training with Nancy Hair, Ed Kreitman, Ann Montzka-Smelser, and long-term training with Blake Brasch.
Now an academic in recovery (but still committed to being a lifelong learner!), Elizabeth enjoys cooking, baking, podcasts, being outside, dogs, and British panel shows.
Teaching Philosophy:
As a relative latecomer to my instrument and serious music study, I can whole-heartedly attest to the transformative power of the private lesson environment. Now, as a teacher, my ultimate goal is to pay this forward. At each lesson I strive to meet the student where they are and recognize and support the fact that this often looks different on a weekly basis. I enjoy finding an engaging balance of repertoire and pieces with each student that both cultivates technique and allows learning the cello to be a fun and personal experience.