Rates

Hourly performance rate: $100 per hour (1 hour minimum)

Instruction: $12.50 per half-hour (half-hour minimum; :45 minute lesson $17.50, 1 hour $25)

Subject to availability; 1 week notice requested.

Local and/or repeat business discounts may be available, e-mail cellodad@juno.com for details.

New strings

P. bought me a new set of Jargar medium strings for Valentines. My old set sounded okay, but except for the "A" string, had all been on there for about 20 years or so. New strings really do sound great. A set retails for $135 on average, but Jargar mediums (with the blue windings) are well worth it. Thank you P., I love you!

Xinh's Valentine's Day Gig

After a week of rehearsing three hours of music a day, Monday came. I went to work as normal (I am not quitting my day job) then put on my tuxedo with my red bow tie (I also have a black one and a blue one), grabbed my cello, music stand and music folder, walked over and set up. I started playing at 4:57 by my watch. I played for about an hour, took a five minute break, played for another hour and took a half-hour dinner break. Xinh's salmon is absolutely the best I've ever eaten; unlike anything I have ever eaten, it actually caused me to cry it was so good. I played for another hour, took five, and then played until about 9:22, when most of the couples had finished.

All of the feedback coming back to me about my Valentine's program is very positive, everyone enjoyed my playing. I could get used to this. Xinh and her staff seem to be as pleased with my performance as I was with her salmon, and that's saying a lot. Personally, I thought I sounded pretty good that night. Not perfect mind you--I made my share of mistakes. But I just kept on going. I am my own worst critic, and I know the areas that I need to work on.