Trace Johnson, Cellist & Teacher

Cleveland Institute of Music - Bachelor of Music, Cello Performance (2012)

Lynn Conservatory - Master of Music and Professional Performance Certificate, M.M. and P.P.C. (2016, 2018)

University of Wisconsin-Madison - Doctor of Musical Arts, DMA (Spring ‘24)

Cellist, Madison Symphony Orchestra

Cellist, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Cellist, Sarasota Orchestra

Suzuki Certified: Pre-Twinkle, Book 1, and Book 2

WYSO Chamber Music Coach

Private Cello Lesson Instructor and Group Class Leader

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Dear Prospective Students & Parents,

My name is Trace Johnson and I am a professional cellist and teacher based in Madison, Wisconsin. I have fifteen+ years of experience teaching students of all skill levels both publically and privately. I am currently teaching a wide range of students consisting of youth beginners (3-7 y/o), young adults (13-18 y/o), and adult students. Through my experience gained in the professional performance world, I bring a practical and robust knowledge of the instrument and the classical music performance world to my students. I am a certified Pre-Twinkle, Suzuki-Book 1 and Book 2 cello instructor and my SSA teacher profile can be viewed by clicking here. I received my Suzuki certification from renowned cello pedagogue and teacher Dr. Tanya Carey who is based in Glen Ellyn, IL. Here in Madison, I have prepared several students for successful auditions into the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (WYSO) top orchestra, Youth Orchestra, and served as a chamber music coach with WYSO Chamber Music since September 2021. I was recently appointed to the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in Spring 2023 after two successful auditions at both orchestras.

During my time teaching in South Florida from 2013-2020, I served as the Private Cello Instructor and Group Class Leader at the West Palm Beach Suzuki School of Music. Cello students from my studio successfully auditioned for first-chair appointments at the Palm Beach Youth Orchestra in West Palm Beach, Florida, Florida Youth Orchestra in Davie, FL, Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County in Boca Raton, FL, and the 2020-21 All-County Middle-School Orchestra of South Florida. I also had students who won appointments to the Florida All-State Orchestra and who were 1st-place competition winners at the Festival of the Arts Competition in Boca Raton.

I currently have room in my studio for 4-5 more committed students, and would love to schedule a trial lesson with you! To schedule a trial cello lesson, send me a message through the form on the contact page of this website. I am offering private and group cello lessons on the East side of Madison at my home studio as well as virtually via Zoom and Facetime for those who are far away. Lesson rates are available per your request.

Studio Requirements:

  1. Commitment to yourself, personal practice time, and your cello goals!

  2. Provide a pencil and note-taking paper to lessons. Video recording during lessons is STRONGLY encouraged!

  3. PDF Document Downloading and Printing/Viewing Capabilities

  4. Regular access to an internet connection

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Cellist, Trace Johnson teaching practice techniques for intermediate-advanced string players at the Make-Music New York 2020 event in NYC:

Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten-thousand times is skill. -Shinichi Suzuki