Warm Meditative Music Lessons with a Columbia Grad Who Cares about her Students

I've known Lenna several years, and have known the work of her students for a few years now, too. Lenna is incredibly nurturing and encouraging! Her students exhibit confidence in the performances I've attended, and they're excited and happy to be making music.

Their technique and intonation is quite good, and her students continue to progress between recitals I've attended. She and I now work together at a classical choral education program, and I witness firsthand the encouragement she gives to each student. She had extensive knowledge of curriculum and pedagogical tools, allowing her to meet any student where they are, and nurturing their growth.

I cannot recommend Lenna highly enough. When we began meeting, she asked me what I was hoping to get out of our lessons and she has specifically tailored the education in response. I truly feel as though I have learned so much new material in a small amount of time. I appreciate how Lenna explains concepts: thoughtfully, patiently, and accessibly. She is consistent, reliable, and communicates clearly. Lenna also helps me to balance my self-criticism and judgment while I play which means a lot. I feel very at ease and inspired during our time together. I forgot cello lessons can be fun!

Lenna has been my daughter’s cello teacher for six years, and we couldn’t be happier. She is patient, professional, and extremely talented musically. Most importantly, she is always positive, supportive, and makes learning music truly fun.

It's daunting to learn a new instrument as an adult, but Lenna has made it fun and created a safe and encouraging space to be bad at something as I learn! As someone who's neurodivergent, I also appreciate her patience and her adaptability to my learning style. She's also just an awesome person - so kind and sweet and easy to talk to. I'm so glad I found her, couldn't imagine learning such a tricky instrument from anyone else!

I’ve known Lenna for over a decade. We were introduced by a mutual friend when I asked if anyone knew of a good cello teacher.

I had previously studied both viola and cello under various teachers, including one from Juilliard, but Lenna was by far the better teacher.

Her gentleness and intuition about other peoples’ experiences makes for a meditative and connected lesson experience full of kindness and compassion atop music education knowledge.

She’s an outstanding teacher and I truly wish for more students to benefit from her teaching.

My daughter has been studying cello with Lenna for the past 3+ years, and we couldn’t ask for a better teacher! Lenna is a wonderful mix of talent, warmth, and flexibility. She truly meets students where they are.

What I appreciate most is that she understands that every child learns differently and has different goals for their instrument. My daughter loves to play but doesn’t always love to practice, and instead of being strict or discouraging, Lenna helps her find realistic, creative ways to fit short, meaningful practice sessions into her schedule.

Lenna’s passion for music shines through every lesson. I love when she and my daughter play together. Their duets are beautiful and full of joy. It’s clear that Lenna not only teaches technique but also nurtures a genuine love of music.

We first found Lenna through my brother, whose daughter studied with her and later went on to attend LaGuardia High School for cello. I’m so grateful for that recommendation and can wholeheartedly pass it forward. Lenna is a truly wonderful teacher!

Lenna is wonderful! I started playing cello as an adult and am so glad to have found her. She has the perfect balance of correction and encouragement: she points out what I'm doing wrong, but never in a way that makes me feel bad or ashamed. She carefully guides my technique, but also wants me to enjoy what I'm doing. She's super warm, friendly, and lovely to be around and explains things with the BEST analogies. :) She's an incredible cellist herself and definitely one of the best teachers I've ever had at anything. Could not recommend more highly!