About My Journey
Tips About Cello Playing I Learned from a Ladybug Story
This blog is dedicated to my students and all those interested in cello playing, particularly those beginning cello. Cello playing is one of the most wonderful experiences to explore. My goal is to make cello playing successful from the start.
Gigi, the ladybug that plays cello, originated in my mind many years ago after I bought a little wooden figurine of a ladybug with a cello. I would look at it everyday and imagine that she was talking to me and giving me pointers about cello playing. I started to believe that this little ladybug would be the perfect voice to passing on some tips about cello playing in a friendly, enjoyable and easy to understand manner.
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Meet the Artist
Dr. Annette Espada
A performing artist in the New York City area, Annette Espada serves as cello faculty and heads the chamber music department at Concordia Conservatory. She holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Cello Performance from the University of Miami, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Music Education from New York University and a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Cello Performance from the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. Annette has also traveled the world participating in master classes with artists such as Antonio Janigro, Piero Farulli, Marçal Cervera and Miklos Perényi. In addition, she holds a Full Kodaly Method Certification from New York University and has received extensive training in Alexander Technique and Brain Gym.
Among her accolades, Music Award from the Institute of Puerto Rico in New York, The National Endowment for the Arts Grant and Music Award from the Society of Arts and Letters in Miami.
Annette has performed with the Casals Festival Orchestra (PR), the Puerto Rico Symphony, the Miami City Ballet, the Virginia Symphony, as well as with the New York Grand Opera and Broadway shows. She has appeared as soloist and chamber musician at the Pablo Casals Museum (PR), Merkin Hall (NY) and the Sommer Center (NY).
She has presented lecture-recitals at SUNY-Albany (NY), Christ and St. Stephen’s Church (NY), the Ponce Art Museum (PR) and InterAmerican University (PR).
Making music, teaching and writing are among Annette’s passions. She is the author of two books, Tips About Cello Playing I Learned From a Ladybug and La Evolución del Violonchelo en Puerto Rico. Her favorite cellist of all time is Pablo Casals. Her favorite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach. She feels a special connection with both of them.
