Taught by renowned cellist and educator Andrés Díaz
Discover Popper’s études on a whole new level with Díaz's new course "High School of Cello Playing." Dive deep into technical approaches and creative hacks for mastering these foundational pieces — and build your cello proficiency in the process.
If you’re a cellist, you know David Popper’s “High School of Cello Playing” is more than just a set of études—it's the cornerstone of cello technique, integral to mastering the craft. But the pieces can be as daunting as they are beautiful. Wish you could add more of these iconic pieces to your repertoire, while meeting their technical demands and playing with clarity?
If so, your journey starts here. Professor Andrés Díaz, a noted authority on Popper, will take you through 17 of the études regularly selected for competitions. You’ll unlock each one’s intricacies, navigating octaves, hand coordination, sound quality and more. Equipped with this wisdom, you’ll soon play the études with finesse and charisma, and take your overall cello skill to new heights.
Chilean-born soloist and educator Andrés Díaz is a prized asset to the cello world, whose influence is felt among dedicated students and players everywhere.
Díaz started playing the cello when he was just five. At the age of eight, his family relocated to Atlanta, GA, and Díaz began studying under Martha Gerchefski at the Georgia Academy of Music. His prodigious talent led him to master Popper's first 10 études before his pre-teen years. He would later graduate from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with the likes of Laurence Lesser and Colin Carr.
Díaz went on to win first prize at the 1986 Naumberg International Cello Competition, kicking off a distinguished career of orchestral collaborations and festival appearances worldwide. He co-founded the renowned string ensemble, Díaz Trio, and earned a Latin GRAMMY nomination in 2009 for his standout Bach Cello Suites album.
Alongside his accomplishments as an artist, Díaz has passionately invested in nurturing the next generation. For five years, he served as Associate Professor of Cello at Boston University and as Co-Director of the Tanglewood Institute Quartet Program. Currently, Díaz is Professor of Cello and head of the strings department at Southern Methodist University, while also serving as artist-in-residence at the Brevard Music Center and faculty at The Banff Centre.
Preview our curated selection of courses below. With lessons covering fundamentals, technical training, style and interpretation, you won't find a more thorough and enriching learning experience anywhere else.
Our members rate us at 4.8/5 stars. Here’s how a few of them transformed their cello skills since joining tonebase.
“Instead of scouring the internet for hours for performance tips and tricks, I now have access to a wealth of high-quality content from renowned artists at my fingertips!“
“Sincerely speaking, a few months with tonebase help me solve many issues I have had with my fingers for years if not decades.“
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The Ultimate Practice Toolkit will teach you how to practice with a purpose and make actual progress on your musical goals.
