Matthew is, hands down, the best music instructor I've ever had, on any topic. My musical background - both in theory and technique - is pretty scattered. After college, I decided I wanted to learn the cello, so I searched Craigslist to find a teacher. I recognized Matthew's name from Ifshin's and he had a good review from the Berkeley Parents Network, so I decided to schlep up to El Cerrito (from South Berkeley, without a car, with a large instrument) to attend a lesson. Matthew was able to quickly, accurately, fluidly gauge what topics I understood and which I needed help on, and immediately cobbled together a lesson in which I felt not a single minute was wasted. I came away from that lesson feeling like I'd learned more from him in an hour that I'd learned from other teachers in six months. I was hooked. Since I already had a basic background in music theory, Matthew jumped pretty quickly into teaching me straight from repertoire. Matthew himself is quite an excellent musician - very artistic and expressive - and gives similarly excellent instruction on musicianship. He has the unusual ability of being extremely precise about what he wants you, the student, to do to achieve a given effect. (And is very good at being precise from several different approaches until you have that 'a-ha!' moment.) He's been very patient with me on the days that my head just hasn't been in the game and very persistent in making sure I get something out of those lessons, anyhow. Because of his high degree of achievement in cello and his patience, innovation, and keen intellect, Matthew would probably be a wonderful teacher from everyone from complete novices to seasoned professionals. (He does, in fact, teach both these levels, but I can only speak from my own experience. :P ) I have moved towns twice since I started taking lessons with him and, six years later, he is still absolutely worth the transbay drive. read more

I am very lucky to have found Matthew as a cello teacher. I started to learn to play the cello as a beginner since almost a year and can strongly recommend him as a teacher. It has been an amazing experience for me to play the cello ever since I started my lessons with Matthew. He is amazing, extremely patient and explains musical concepts and the cello as an instrument to an adult with great precision. In addition, he has a great ability to communicate and can provide explanations to you that suits perfectly well to the way you can understand, which is essential for learning. He always has an analogy to an everyday movement when you learn a new technique that is a great help. Matthew is a remarkable person and has a great personality. He can combine his understanding of humans with his teaching extremely well. Although sometimes your own performance might not be the best (e.g. because you could not practice enough for the lesson) at each lesson you learn a lot and have a smile on your face after you leave the lesson. What I like the most about Matthew's teaching is that he has an exceptional sense of creativity and tries to unmask this ability in his students. read more

Matthew is a wonderful cello teacher, whom I feel incredibly fortunate to have found! I began learning to play the cello with him as a complete beginner, with limited previous musical experience, and slightly nervous about the prospects for an adult beginner on this instrument. My sense is that Matthew has a very special, holistic, approach to technique and musicality, and a brilliant ability to communicate in his teaching. He is patient and determined with his students, and the pace of lessons was always just right. I have especially valued Matthew's ability to convey or adjust an element of technique, through analogy or through demonstration. While part of learning to play a musical instrument is heeded intellectually, the other huge part is physical, and as an adult learner, this physical kind of learning is a far cry from the rest of my pursuits and skills...and Matthew's teaching is addressed to both kinds of learning. (I'd also add that as an adult learner, I have appreciated always being treated as adult in lessons!) Matthew is a remarkable and special teacher because his own cello-playing and musical life is extraordinarily rich: as well as performing classical repertoire, he also improvises and composes (including, most recently, an opera). One of the special, extra qualities that Matthew transmits in his teaching and allows the student to experience (whatever their level) is the vitality and power of musical creativity. read more

I have studied cello with Matthew Owens for about nine years, and recommend him with the highest regard. I started cello lessons with Matthew as an adult, having a limited musical background (youthful rock and roll bass and guitar playing with no notes on pages to learn). Matthew specializes in working with adults, starting from scratch or with bad habits to 'unlearn', and he instructs with a special understanding that simply makes learning a pleasure (even if you have a job, family, dog/cat, and don't like being told what to do at this point in your life). Now I am working on wonderful pieces by Haydn, Bach, and other greats. Don't let anyone tell you teaching children and adults is the same, it is not. And I am fairly certain that there are very few instructors who can understand and adjust to adult students as well as Matthew. Matthew is also an extremely gifted musician, writer, painter and all-around devoted Artist in the truest sense. I feel lucky every time I see him, thinking maybe 1/2% of his talent may have magically transferred to me...Like all great musicians Matthew is a great listener, and now a great friend. read more

Matthew is a wonderful teacher and I can't recommend him enough! Some context for my review: I played violin in the school system (from elementary to high school) and then took a long break. When I was 34 I decided to start up lessons again, but this time decided to pursue my true love-- cello! I e-mailed several teachers and took a couple of trial lessons. Immediately I knew Matthew was the teacher for me! He is great at explaining concepts, using clear and intuitive descriptions to help me learn cello technique. If I'm struggling or something doesn't feel right, he is very analytical and hands on and can usually zero in on the issue that I'm having and suggest a different strategy or approach to help me get it right (examples: learning vibrato or forward extension). Matthew doesn't teach every student the same way-- he really takes an individual, holistic approach to teaching. I can't comment on how he is with teaching kids, but if you're an adult beginner, Matthew is a great choice! He is understanding and supportive of how the adult learner approaches the cello. Even if I only practice twice a week, he doesn't make me feel guilty or give me a hard time-- we simply pick up where we left off and try to make the most of what I've practiced. Also, not to mention he was super nice and let me borrow a cello for the first several weeks while I was trying to find a rental cello and his rates are very fair and competitive. I've had to reschedule lessons several times and it hasn't been a problem. I can't say enough great things about Matthew! read more