The Wanderings of a Cellist

  The Wandering Cellist fuses her classical training with her love of heavy metal, fantasy, film & folk music. Building layers of cello on top of each other, she creates a world simultaneously dark, beautiful, wonderful, fantastic & breathtaking.   

[wanderingcellist]

Excited to be playing cello for Soft Butter this coming Monday 6/4 at Ars Nova - ANT Fest!!

It's an awesomely absurdist musical about gender, and the music's a whole lot of fun!! We had our first band rehearsal this past week and it was many kinds of fun and awesome!!

Tickets and Info available on the Ars Nova site 

[wanderingcellist]

On April 8, 2018 I had the privilege of playing an opening set for my Edensong's pre-tour show! It was a great night, and wonderful to reconnect with my former bandmates, and see just how much they'd grown and evolved - their lineup even includes a koto player now!!

This Pirates of the Caribbean melody is something I put together while playing in the subways a few years ago. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 has long been one of my favorite movies, and this medley too has been a mainstay in my performing over the years.

So nice to finally have some video of it! :)

[wanderingcellist]

On April 8, 2018 I had the privilege of playing an opening set for my Edensong's pre-tour show! It was a great night, and wonderful to reconnect with my former bandmates, and see just how much they'd grown and evolved - their lineup even includes a koto player now!

Under the Desert Sun is something I composed while playing in the subways many, many years ago. It was initially inspired by an Indian morning raga I had learned, and also incorporates elements of Ashkenazi Jewish music (the main line was my own play on Ravel's Kaddish), a musical quote from Gladiator, and an improvisatory middle section that has always been left up to whatever I'm feeling and listening to in the moment.

Most recently, I've been trying to channel the feel of a kamancheh - an instrument that features in Persian and Iranian music. At other times, I try and incorporate more of a Metallica-influenced heavy metal aspect into it.

[wanderingcellist]

I still can't believe someone drew this incredibly beautiful picture of me while I was playing cello at the art show. What a beautiful gift! :)

[wanderingcellist]

Earlier, while playing in the subways, I figured out how to play Krewella's Human

It's not exactly a very "Up" song ... it's a song about feeling entirely alone & desperately needing support from those around you & going entirely unnoticed by those around you.  I added it into my cello sets pretty recently

Yet somehow, in the subways, when I played the melody on cello, it became Cheery & Happy ... I've never had a Sad Song become Happy on cello before... usually it's the other way around

It was weird...

[wanderingcellist]

A few more Wicked Faire photos!!

[wanderingcellist]

For anyone wondering about my holographic cello bow - it's an Incredibow. They make them with all sorts of finishes. Yours can look more traditional if desired. I have the Musical Saw version, but the bow grip can be a bit awkward, and I'd probly recommend the high tension cello version instead They're less than $200 & very good sound quality. Indestructible & never need to be rehired (you do need to clean the hair). Obviously it won't be quite the same as a really high end wood bow - but they're great for professionals & beginners alike. Especially those of us who do lots of touring/traveling & playing non-classical genres of music that involve amplification.

[wanderingcellist]

Tips For Starting Cello

Tips for anyone starting out cello: Get the book Essential Elements book 2 for cello. Also, Solo Time For Strings Cello Book 2 - 4. Easiest ways to learn & practice reading music. Modern Cellists Manual: http://www.amazon.com/Modern-CellistS-Manual-Technique-Approach/dp/0557242592 Also, these might be helpful: http://imslp.org/wiki/Technical_Cello_Studies_(Klengel,_Julius) Slow whole note scales are the best thing you can do for your technique. Lessons are your best bet, but there's lots of high quality cello instruction vids out there - avoid anything by Expert Village. Good Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2W1pkBkCkQ&list=PLAE1ED06AB33DF65D&sns=em Probly too advanced right now: The order of flats is: BEADGCF The order of sharps is: FCGDAEB Meaning: if you have something with 2 flats, they're B flat & E flat (and you're in the key of B flat major. You find this by going back one note) 2 sharps means F# and C# and you're in the key of D Major (you find this by going up 1 letter from your final sharp. Ex: C# becomes D. Exceptions: E# becomes F#, B# becomes C#) Very advanced: Don't try vibrato until your intonation and technique are pretty solid/comfortable. When you do, know that it should come from your arm & not your wrist & that you're looking for a relaxed and controlled motion

[wanderingcellist]

Photos from the final Wicked Faire

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Photos from a recent house concert

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Photos from Arisia - taken by Cat Trzaskowski

[wanderingcellist]

The Final Wicked Faire: Arriving Full Circle

This past weekend at Wicked Faire I played with Psyche Corporation & I joined This Way to the Egress on stage for “Bones” (as is our tradition). Those sets brought things Full Circle.

Back in 2014, I attended the second Steampunk Anachronism in NYC. It was the first Steampunk event I’d ever been to (well, I think the Steampunk Picnic actually has that honor - but first show!). I saw Egress play there & was fucking wowed! They were fun & awesome & had cello & violin - and just a million levels of cool.

After that event, I was obsessively checking twitter & found Minions of Gozer - who it turned out were having a benefit/fundraising event to help get things started. I happily agreed to play (cuz omg so cool), and it was there that I met Psyche Corporation - we were both into the others’ performance & decided we should collaborate. I also met a dear friend who told me about this event called Dorian’s Parlor.

Dorian’s Parlor turned out to be the coolest fucking thing ever, and it was the first Steampunk event I ever played! This is where the name The Wandering Cellist was born (I mean: I was playing a cool steampunk event - I needed a cool name that fit!!). It’s also where I met Dr. Andy & the rest of Circuit Six

After that I was playing at Wicked Faire 2011 as part of Pysche Corp. At one point, an act was arriving a bit late & Dr. Andy texts me asking if I can do a solo set till they get there - so, I just set up, plug in & drop some improv & some Dr. Who.  One of the staff radios in for other staff to come check it out, it winds up on YouTube & somehow or another, I end up performing at future Wicked Faire & Steampunk World’s Fair events. 

Before that moment, I never believed I was good enough to apply for events with such amazing performers. (Side note: that’s where I first saw Ego Likeness & Platform one - who later became good friends!) :D

So much more has happened in the years between, and it’s incredible how much those first events & the path they set me on changed my life for the better - how much awesome they brought into my life & how much awesome they let me bring into others’ lives!!

It was an honor to perform at the Wicked Faire XI: The Final Wicked Faire, and be there for its last moments & remember the special place it’s had in my heart & life all these years.

[wanderingcellist]

Dances of Vice: A Magical Evening

Dances of Vice: Carnival of Venice Valentine Masquerade Ball was incredibly wonderful - especially playing in the Reading Room.  I played in that room for an Hour & A Half, and many people stayed throughout - some of them even watching me play through the very end.  Many of them offering compliments & thanks between songs :)

Throughout the set, there were two Acro performers who would come in and out, performing their entrancing movements in the center of the small enclave that had gathered to watch.  I am lucky to have had such a magical addition to my performance.

At one point during the set, a fellow came up to me & quietly mentioned that he thought he'd heard me play "She Moved Through The Fair" earlier in the night, and asked if I'd be kind enough to play it again - as it was his favorite song.  With a request like that - how could I not?!

One of my favorite things about performing is knowing that for a short moment in time, you get to lift someone out of their daily life & take them along to this magical place with you - knowing that that moment is as powerful & transformative for them as it is for you.

Last night's event was an experience I'll always remember fondly :D

[wanderingcellist]

Wicked Faire 2016 Performances

Here’s a list of my performances for Wicked Faire 2016:

Friday: Heorot Hall – 5pm – 6pm VIP Meet & greet – 8pm – 9pm Busking Stage – 9pm – 9:30pm

Saturday Atrium Stage – 6pm – 7pm

Sunday Heorot Hall – 1pm – 2pm

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Some moments from Arisia

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The newest additions to my cello case

[wanderingcellist]

I’ve always wanted to play house concerts …

I love the intimacy and connection of playing to a group of people in a quiet environment, and getting to share stories & music I love!  I love environments where people can tune in to what I do, and through doing so, find their own inspiration and beauty.  I also love it when people draw or write to my music – I think it’s incredible when my act of creative expression transforms into others expressing their creative world.

Would you be interested in hosting one & having some beautiful cello music in your house one evening?  If so, please send me an email at [email protected] :)