Hello! My name is Lauren Blackwell and I am a classical cellist based in Philadelphia. When I was in the 8th grade, I started lessons at the Settlement Music School with Christine Danoff. Later I went to West Chester University of Pennsylvania and studied with Dr. Ovidiu Marinescu and Jesús Morales. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, Cello in December of 2020. I am currently taking lessons with Gloria dePasquale, a former member of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Along with classical music I frequently perform and record in genres such as spirituals/hymns, R&B, gospel and jazz. I have performed on WRTI/NPR Jazz Live Sessions with the group EVER Ensemble. In 2017 I traveled to Puerto Rico to study with Luis Miguel Rojas, the Principal Cellist of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. While there I participated in the annual cello festival, Cellistiko. I am currently a freelance cellist and teacher in the Philadelphia area.

While at West Chester University, I started my private teaching career. I taught students from beginners to advanced players. Many of my students were involved in a school orchestra, so they enjoyed working on orchestra passages, audition repertoire, as well as music solely for the cello. I love working with my students to help them know that whatever difficult music they’re working on, it will one day be easy for them to play! Remember to take it one note at a time!