A Musician's Best Friend Anonymous

Meet Julian, Eloise, Damien, Georgie, and Caesar; a few of my best friends. These friends have helped me through the brightest and the darkest days of my life. They inspire me to think creatively, comfort me during the low times, challenge me, and help me express my thoughts and emotions. These friends have accompanied me throughout my entire life, encouraging me to grow and mature as a cellist.

Julian, Eloise, Damien, Georgie, and Caesar are the names of my cellos and bows. Although it may seem silly, every instrument has their own special personality deserving a name to fit their style. When playing a new cello, I intuitively come up with a name that perfectly describes the cello’s tone and style. These musical friends were chosen carefully, as they need to speak the truth about me as a musician, collaborator, and soloist, as well as a student, a teacher, and a person.

Like all best friends, my cellos and I have quarreled numerous times. I often feel frustrated with my cello when a passage isn’t clean or beautiful or technically correct even after hours of practice. Eventually, we make up. I find my way to a clean passage or a more beautiful tone having developed the technique through continuous drills, patience, and a deeper...