Rachael is the best cello instructor I've ever had. She is very patient (especially important for an adult student like myself), and she has a way of explaining even the most complex concepts in a way that's easy to understand. But her patience isn't just about explaining things clearly - she genuinely cares about her students' progress and creates a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Beyond her patience, Rachael is also incredibly knowledgeable and talented. Her passion for music is contagious, and it really shines through in her teaching. She's not just teaching cello technique; she's helping her students develop a deep appreciation for music itself. I highly recommend her. read more

Since 2019, our son has been learning to hone his skills on the cello from the fantastic teacher, Rachael Lonergan. Rachael's studio has students starting at really young ages, and staying with her until high school graduation, and oftentimes returning after as well. Our son regularly performs with his school, Harvard-Westlake's Symphony Orchestra, and has even performed at the Royal Carnegie Hall in New York. She also has several adult students (I know of one student who graduated, and then his mother took it up!). Rachael's annual shows are really wonderful (oftentimes held at the Beverly Hills Playhouse) because you can see the range of skills starting from Twinkle Twinkle all the way up to really difficult Concertos. Her rates are a steal compared to what our son is getting, and I wholeheartedly recommend Rachael's studio to anyone even mildly interested in learning how to play beautifully on the cello. read more

My daughter started at 3.5yrs with Rachael and it has been a year of learning. She has learned SO MUCH. Within 9 months of learning, we are nearing halfway through Suzuki Book 1. But it's not about the speed of learning, because I do not feel rushed with Rachael. Rachael truly makes learning at such a young age feel at once so structured but also so laid back and SO doable. I was very uncertain starting at this age for cello as my older daughter's experience with starting violin at 3.5 yrs was so difficult. I myself have played piano and violin so I am familiar with those instruments, but cello was new to me. I am so thankful to have met Rachael and I would recommend anyone to her. She is professional, caring, responsive, and has students of all different ages and levels, and even has students who stay with her on zoom when they live thousands of miles away. My daughter has been really enjoying cello and I do think the right teacher makes a huge difference. read more

My 13 year old daughter has been taking cello from Rachael for the past year and I have nothing but fabulous things to say! Rachael is a wonderful, caring teacher who has taught her so much already. The tween years can be tough - as you may know, and our family is not immune from those challenges. My daughter has never once complained about going to her cello lesson! And always leaves her lesson happy. We highly recommend Rachael for cello lessons!! We drive almost 10 miles (each way) to get to our lessons. It is worth it! read more

Rachael is as good as they get and has a demeanor that is so friendly and encouraging for my daughter Ruby. Since going to her she has become the best in her class and plays so beautifully. Rachael's studio is in the back part of her home and is very clean and nice. Can't recommend her more highly as she is simply superb! Get your child a cello and sign up with Rachael asap read more

Rachael is a great cello teacher. Speaking for myself she is a great teacher for adults. She is clear and very helpful with during lessons and will also answer emails when you have questions about your pieces. As an adult it can be a bit intimidating to learn a brand new instrument especially one as difficult as the cello, but with Rachael it was easy to get started. If you're thinking about picking up the cello definitely give Rachael a call or send her an email. read more

Best cello teacher around! In fact she is more than a teacher. Rachael shares her love of music with her students, developing their cello and performance skills. Not only does she give hourly lessons , but she also organizes concerts and other performance opportunities. Students learning with Rachael become part of the San Fernando Valley Cello Ensemble. And unlike many other teachers or studios, she does not charge extra for performances or make money on ticket sales. Rachael has been excellent teaching both in-person and with virtual lessons. Dedicated, passionate, kind, patient, talented, inspiring, hardworking, great with kids, teens and adults. A+. Highly recommended. read more

Rachael has been an inspiring teacher for our daughter for over five years. She is a fine cellist who teaches the fundamentals effectively. She organizes concerts and recitals for her students, giving them performance experience. We highly recommend Rachael! read more

Rachael is an amazing, expert, fun, patient, and kind cello teacher with a special ability to connect with students. To update my past review, our son studied with her for nine years and we are eternally grateful to her for encouraging his lasting love for cello and music. He's now an accomplished cellist and enjoying playing in multiple groups at college, and I have started studying with Rachael. She's the best and I highly recommend her for prospective students of all ages and levels! read more

I took lessons from Rachael for about 8 years, and she is the real deal. I wasn't always the best student, I often didn't practice enough, but she really made me care and challenged me to do my best. Hard to imagine a better cello instructor at any level. Love her and miss her loads. read more

Rachael is a superb teacher. I was a fifty year-old guy looking for cello lessons -- never even so much as held a cello before, but I'd always loved the sound. So I went to Rachael, and she has been amazing. She's patient and supportive and enthusiastic and insanely knowledgable. She just has a lovely all-around vibe. Perhaps most importantly, I've made a ton of progress in the 18 months that I've been her student. Highly recommended. read more

Rachael is a very nice teacher. My laugher and son have been with Rachael for several years. I don't know much about music and instrument. When we needed to buy a new cello, Rachael volounteered to go to a cello shop to pick cello for us. read more

Best cello teacher ever!! My daughter started playing cello this year with Rachael and I can't say enough good things about her! Rachael has a wide range of students from beginners to advanced students. Her studio is very professional and welcoming. Rachael is a very experienced teacher, she has guided and taught my daughter in a way that makes her strive to be better and most of all enjoy learning. Rachael has a calming energy which has given my daughter a lot of confidence to play in front of others. She is patient, friendly and a natural teacher. You can tell that her students respect and love learning with her. I highly recommend her as an instructor and look forward to my daughter continuing to learn with her. read more

Rachael Lonergan is a talented cellist, an awesome cello teacher, and a wonderful human being. My son has been studying with her for two years. Not only does he learn music theory, performance and technique, he also learns to love and enjoy the music. Rachael comes from a family with generations of renowned musicians, and music is natural to her. She shares her passion of music with her students. Every time I watch her teaching my son, I realize that the music lesson itself is a masterpiece. Rachel shows total dedication, she's very passionate and extremely organized. As much as she makes the lessons fun with her wit and humor, she can also be firm and set the needed expectations for practice at home. She has the rare talent to encourage her students and keep them motivated on their journey of musical mastery. In addition to the weekly lessons, Rachael leads the San Fernando Valley Cello Ensemble. As part of the ensemble, her students have the opportunity to play in retirement homes, hospitals and performing arts theaters. This is a wonderful experience for the students, because they get to play together in harmony, perform in front of audiences, and they feel good about entertaining people especially lonely seniors and patients. By playing in a group, kids develop friendship with each other, and older advanced ones become role models for younger kids. We're looking forward to many more awesome years of "Cello Power". read more

I wanted to update this review since it's been a year or so. My daughter is now 14. Over the past year her confidence level has grown. She now plays in shows with her singer-songwriter friend, and she recently played a solo at the National Institute of Cello summer camp -- with confidence! I'm not saying that this is ALL because of Rachael's teaching, but Rachael has certainly been instrumental (ha!) in Aliya's confidence level. Rachael's nurturing approach makes her the ideal teacher for students of any age -- including adults! I'd strongly recommend her to anyone, beginner or advanced. read more

Rachael Lonergan - Rachael Lonergan's San Fernando Cello Ensemble - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Rachael is by far one of the best cello instructors in the Greater Los Angeles area and San Fernando Valley!! If I could give her more than 5 stars I would! My son studied under Rachael for several years. Our drive to her studio was nothing short of an hour and 30 minutes one way. But it was worth it because my son got so much out of his lessons. Under Rachael's tutelage, my son was accepted LACHSA, and went on to be 2nd Chair in the orchestra in his Jr. and Sr. years. My son absolutely loved being a part of Rachael's studio. She has a way of making cello fun while holding students accountable for their studies-- not an easy task, especially with teenagers. Racheal inspired my son, and challenged him every step of the way. He won several solo cello and string quartet competitions. As my son would to say, "Rachael gets me. She is a cello goddess!" I highly recommend Rachael. read more

Our son studied with Rachael for 8 years until he graduated from high school and went off to college. Studying with Rachael set him on to a lifetime of music. We all want our children to love music and Rachael makes it fun and interesting and very educational! The cello orchestra gives her students to opportunity to play in an orchestra and perform yearly at the Madrid Theater in December. Rachael is amazing! I can't recommend her highly enough. read more

Rachael Lonergan - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Van Nuys, California

Rachael is the best cello teacher in Los Angeles. Our son has been studying cello with Rachael for 7 years now. He started knowing nothing and now is an accomplished cellist. Rachael is an amazing teacher for all ages and abilities. First and foremost, she herself is an extremely talented cellist. Second, she is kind and soft spoken. She is very gentle with the kids. She teaches with praise and encouragement. Third, however, she is firm. There are rules to follow. Fourth, she is an excellent communicator. Not only does she effectively communicate how to play the cello to the kids (and adults) she teaches, but she communicates well with the parents, letting us know what we need to do to support our kids and also all of the billing, business and scheduling information. Fifth, she is great with all ages. I've seen her work with the tiny little kids, whose cellos are the size of violins with songs that make "music" from every part of the cello, and I've seen her work with teenagers who have mastered complex pieces of music. You cannot find a better cello teacher for your child. read more

Rachael Lonergan is the perfect cello teacher for anyone looking for lessons! She not only pushes her students to a very high level of playing, but she makes the process of learning an instrument always fun and stimulating. In addition to the great amount of musical knowledge that Rachael has to offer, she also has a terrific sense for the needs of the particular student she is working with and always tailors her teaching to each individual. She works extremely hard at providing memorable performing opportunities for her students. In addition to the solo recitals which she organizes, Rachael also puts together a terrific concert each year which features cello ensemble music ranging from small quartets to one large cello orchestra. Because Rachael is a valuable member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), her students may also benefit from the programs and concerts offered through that association, including Certificate of Merit and various competitions and festivals. I studied the cello with Rachael from when I was 6 years old to 17. I then went on to major in cello performance in college (UCLA) and I am currently working toward a master's degree in music. I feel extremely lucky to be able to study and make a living doing something that I truly enjoy. It is without a doubt because of Rachael that I am where I am today. I cannot recommend her enough!! read more

In my experience, Rachel was a great teacher because she was a great listener and really got to know her students. Whether you are 7 years old or a senior in high school, she can help you learn using different methods. In terms of her own personal skill, she plays absolutely beautifully! I've had 4 different cello teachers in the past, and I've definitely learned a lot from each one, but after learning from Rachel I can honestly say my sound quality improved drastically. In my opinion, a teacher is largely responsibility for a student's growth (not the student), and Rachel takes this responsibility very seriously. If you ever take a lesson from her, have fun and practice hard! read more

I am an adult learner, and started as a brand new player with Rachael 10 years ago. My son also took introductory lessons on cello when he was 4 (but chose to switch to violin). So I've seen her expertise as to both adults and childen, and Rachael has a great depth of knowledge in the pedagogy (techniques and understanding of how folks learn to play cello) as well as being an outstanding cellist herself. For those who want to do the Certificate of Merit, she guides you through those levels each year, and even as an adult I have tested for CM just for my own development. She is a master teacher with a kind, patient demeanor. She is extremely dedicated and can take students as far in their development as they are willing and committed to take their playing. We also have fun! read more

I studied with Rachael for ten years, and am now employed as a professional cellist. I can't thank her enough for training me, teaching me, and being one of the most important people in my life. If you need a teacher, look no further. Her students and her teaching are unparalleled. read more

My son has been studying with Rachael since he was four years old, and I cannot recommend her teaching highly enough. She is always completely in touch with him and how he is responding to his lessons, and remains constantly available to me for feedback and help. He has learned an incredible amount, and loves playing the cello more with each passing year. I think she is the ideal teacher, a perfect balance of nurture and structure. read more

I love my cello lessons. I'm relatively new, having started a few months ago, so a lot of horrible noises can occur when that bow hits the string, but Rachael never flinches. She's patient and encouraging - and with so much experience, and with so many teaching methodologies at her fingertips, she helps me through the little hiccups and bigger blocks easily. I'm an adult student, and I've tried learning different instruments from childhood on up, but this time it feels like it's clicking. I'm learning faster - even reading music faster, which has always been a struggle for me - than I ever have before, and all with a brain that science suggests should be less 'elastic' and 'trainable'. I credit it all to finding the right teacher. read more

I'm a professional classical musician, as was my late wife, and we chose our children's music teachers with great care. Rachael taught our professional cellist daughter for eleven years, from her first notes to the time she entered conservatory. Rachael was remarkable at every step of the journey. Rachael is an excellent cellist and confident teacher. Her approach is a wonderful blend of patience and rigor. She knows cello literature extensively, combining Suzuki's curriculum with a wide range of additional literature. She's connected in the Los Angeles music network and involves her students in workshops, master classes, performances, and competitions. Included in these are ASTA, LAVS, and MTAC's Certificate of Merit curriculum. When her students perform in those events, she almost always attends. Under Rachael's direction, our daughter took guest lessons with several cello instructors, performed in numerous competitions and master classes, and attended a private master class conducted by Yo Yo Ma. Through Rachael, our daughter was contracted to perform in a television commercial. Rachael's studio is very well organized, with an annual calendar of events. She presents well-organized studio recitals, which let students and parents meet and interact. My daughter is still in contact with many of Rachael's former students. If you want cello lessons for your child or yourself--Rachael is also an excellent teacher of adult cellists--I highly recommend Rachael Lonergan. read more

Our 13 year old has been studying cello with Rachael for almost 2 years now. She is an excellent teacher for many reasons. First, Rachael is an accomplished cellist in her own right. She is wonderful to listen to whenever you have the chance. Second, as a result of her virtuosity, she is extremely knowledgeable about the cello, including the music itself and tips for the students to improve their technique. Third, she is great with the kids. She explains the music and techniques clearly and is always positive with her instruction. In two years I have never heard her use a sharp tone or use anything other than positive, helpful, supportive and kind language. She asks the kids questions and gets them really to listen to the music. Fourth, she is highly dedicated. In addition to the weekly lessons, she has her students perform as part of the San Fernando Valley Cello Ensemble. It is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to get experience playing in front of an audience. She also offers extra classes on some Saturdays where she focusses on one aspect of cello with a small group of students. These "masterclasses" are a great way to get extra one on one instruction on a variety of topics. We are extremely pleased with our child's improvement and having lessons with Rachael has made it very easy for him to get straight A's in his middle school orchestra class. The school teacher just doesn't have the time to devote herself individually to the kids the way that Rachael does. If you are lucky enough that she has an opening in her schedule, grab it!! You will not be disappointed read more

I was trying to compile all the reasons that Rachael is a great and efficient teacher, but I couldn't keep track. Once critical thing is that I am very confident she is providing accurate and timely feedback in just the right amount to keep me from building bad muscle memory that could take years to repave. She points out very specific things without overwhelming my ability to adapt. She analyzes the kinetics and geometry, super crucial for a moving skill. Also of prime importance, she seems to know how fast to push for progress based on your current level. You don't have to perfect each piece to advance beyond it, but you can't miss the fundamentals either. She's also great at answering questions, and not didactic. She'll provide the reasons and experience to back up all her opinions. If something isn't a hard and fast rule, she'll explain why. If she warns you away from a bad technique, she explains why. She has a lot of experience and stories to illustrate. She's also has the right personality, she's encouraging and friendly and always positive while also staying efficient. She'll also help you out with your strings if you're skeert...you gotta be careful cuz those things will snap just a tiny bit over their tuned length. read more

I studied with Rachael for almost five years before going on to study at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She was one of my greatest inspirations during an integral part of my life both personally and musically. She helped me realize my love for music and helped develop my own musical voice. My little sister has been studying with her for many years now and I know that Rachael has been an inspiration to her as well. read more

Rachael is THE best! My daughter has been taking lessons from Rachael since she was 7 years old. She begged me to play the cello after 2 years at the piano. Rachael is patient, nurturing and motivating. My daughter progressed rapidly because Rachael made playing the cello fun, exciting and cool! She is equally successful with her adult students. So look no further....you need Rachael if you want to learn to play the cello. read more

My son has been studying from Rachael since he was five years old and he is now 10! As a music teacher myself, I recommend Rachael highly to anyone of any age because of her wonderful ability to assess the student's needs and help them focus on the work that needs to be done in a gentle, fun and yet disciplined way. My son was extremely shy when he began and he has improved his confidence, eye contact and verbal skills as well as learned an amazing amount about the cello. He now enjoys playing in Rachael's cello ensemble where he gets to play popular, classical and folk music. He began playing in the CSUN Youth Orchestra a few years ago and now enjoys the cello during the summer at the National Cello Institute. This is a wonderful thing for a kid who often gets distracted by his love of computers. I am so happy that he studies with Rachael and enjoys playing and practicing! read more

Rachel is a wonderful cello teacher. She has the winning formula of a great love of cello and teaching, and lots of teaching experience. She has a giant tool bag of teaching tools and techniques with a global knowledge of what it takes to be a good cellist and musician. She's familiar with multiple teaching philosophies and practice (Suzuki, conventional, etc.), and successfully integrates them in her studio teaching the young and old. She's patient and firm as needed in one on one and large group settings. She's successfully customized her teaching to match the needs of my son (started at 4). He's made wonderful progress with her teaching in just over a year. She has not only kept alive his love of cello with lots of focused, prioritized practice, but has fostered growth of his love of cello. She's a constant source of learning opportunities and other musical resources in her studio and outside (community events, professional concerts, instruments, music, etc.). She's also very responsive with questions and scheduling. I'd say she often acts above and beyond the call of duty. She's passionate and professional about her teaching and excellent at what she does. I highly recommend her! read more

My son has been studying the cello with Rachael for over ten years, since he was seven years old. She has been a wonderful teacher and mentor to him. He has learned solid technique and musicality from her nurturing approach, and continues to enjoy playing, as a high school senior with many other demands on his time, because of her support and flexibility. Rachael offers many opportunities to participate in her studio in addition to private lessons, including cello ensemble, masterclasses, and community service performances. As a professional string player, I have been very pleased with the progress of my son's musical instruction, and am happy to recommend Rachael's studio to any aspiring cellist! read more

Our first cello teacher moved out of the country and she referred us to Rachael. My daughters love her warm environment, very cozy and comfortable. She works very hard to set up concerts, is patient and my kids and I couldn't be happier that she is their teacher. We HIGHLY recommend her. read more

Just found out about Rachel's Yelp page!! Finally I have a place to write my review. :D Rachael is by far the best cello teacher in the Valley. I drive my daughter from Conejo Valley to Van Nuys for lessons every week. Before her we had tried 3 or 4 cello teachers nearby but we ended up quitting everyone of them for various reasons. We felt so lucky when we found Rachael. She is brilliant at cello and at teaching as well. She knows when to let students loose and when to discipline. My daughter once asked her for help finding a music sheet for her school concert. Rachael was on a business trip but she still spared time to respond to my daughter. She faxed her the sheet as soon as she returned home. My daughter has been take cello lessons from Rachael for a year now. She absolutely loves it! As a parent I'm very satisfied with her progress. I would rate Rachel a 5+, if there is a plus icon on Yelp. read more

My daughter Alex started lessons with Rachael about 3 years ago! What an amazing experience it has been and is for my daughter. Through Rachael my Alex has developed a true passion for cello. Her patience and the way she identifies with her students is beyond description. I know that the students excel with her instruction because of the way she encourages and challenges them to do their best. Practicing each day is a not a chore and its not easy getting a 14 year old to do a whole lot! :) I couldn't ask for a better mentor/ teacher for Alex. I know that Rachael will be instrumental in Alex's cello life for years to come and will be a great credit to Alex's success!!! read more

My son and daughter have been studying with Rachael for the past several years. They have learned to not only play, but also how to read music. She is an AMAZING teacher with an incredible passion for teaching her craft. My kids love going to her. I can't say enough great things about her. :) read more

She is an amazing teacher for my son who is just learning cello at a young age. She develops a love for music in all her students. She is exceptional one on one, but what sets Rachel apart is the dedication she puts into creating a community of musicians. She invites her students of all ages to join the San Fernando Valley Cello Ensemble and she organizes concerts for parents and even arranges for the students to play at senior living communities. The younger students gain a role model not only in Rachel, but all of her talented teenage students in the ensemble. read more

I cannot say enough about what a knowledgeable, experienced and patient cello teacher Rachael is. She is able to adapt her teaching style to the personality of the child and is accomplished at teaching both professional level musicians as well as beginners. I have two children who have studied cello for many years and have met many cello teachers along the way. Rachael is by far the best I've seen. I would recommend her highly to anyone who wants their child to have a positive experience learning an instrument, and especially to anyone who is serious about becoming an accomplished cellist. Before my daughter started studying with her I was hesitant because her studio is a long way from where we live. I was told, "She is worth the drive!" I am so glad I listened to this advice, because it is true! read more

I took cello lessons with Rachael for 10 years before I moved away for college. Even now, although I seldom have time to practice, I always try to fit in a lesson with Rachael when I am back in town. It is no easy task convincing a 12 year old girl that practicing an instrument for an hour a day is worth her time, but somehow Rachael always managed to inspire me. With a teaching style that perfectly balances discipline and fun, Rachael fosters impeccable technique and a love of music in all of her students. I highly recommend Rachael to any aspiring cellist. read more

Rachael is a great teacher. She has that rare talent of being a stickler for the details (all the details) while figuring out what works for each student. I think she's great! read more