In 2024, Cecelia relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, after a significant four-year tenure in Cleveland Ohio, where she pursued her master’s degree in cello performance followed by a professional studies degree, mentored by the esteemed Sharon Robinson of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. During her Master of Music in cello performance, she obtained her Suzuki Pedagogy certification, which ignited her passion for teaching the cello.
Cecelia has imparted her musical knowledge to a diverse group of over 25 students, ranging from 4 to 65 years old, at the the Aurora School of Music and the Oberlin Community Music School. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the Suzuki Method, emphasizing the development of the whole person, though she also brings a unique perspective by incorporating music theory exploration, pop music, and improvisation into her lessons. As an instructor, her aim is to assist her students in discovering their most effective learning strategies and to foster a sense of communal joy in their musical journey.
Meet Cecelia
Cecelia's performance repertoire spans over a hundred concerts and events, showcasing her adaptability across various genres such as classical, jazz, pop, and contemporary music—thanks to the cello's inherent versatility. During her time in Cleveland, she was affiliated with Opus 216, a prominent local gig service, and contributed to the celebrated Candlelight Series with the Listeso Music Group. She also played with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Canton Symphony Orchestra as a substitute.
In Texas, Cecelia held the positions of Assistant Principal and Interim Principal Cellist with the Amarillo Symphony in 2018.
At the Cleveland Institute of Music, Cecelia co-founded the Elless Quartet, which flourished under Si-Yan Li's guidance and earned accolades, including the Grand Prize at the 7th annual Coltman Competition in Austin, TX, in March 2020. In 2021, the quartet was selected by Andre Roy and former members of the Alban Berg Quartet for the prestigious McGill International String Quartet Academy. Since the ensemble has scattered across the country, each of its members continue to forge a distinctive career in the music industry.
Pictured: the Elless Quartet at Cleveland Institute of Music in 2022. Megan Lin, Emera Gurath, Cecelia Swanson, and Marcus Stevenson.