Music
Central Cello Celebration
General Information
Last held in October 2024, the Central Cello Celebration is a biennial summit of Northwest cellists who wish to revel in the rich cello repertoire and collaborate in a massive cello choir performance. Open to cellists of all ages! High-school and collegiate players will additionally be able to perform in recitals, workshops and masterclasses. Rehearsals of the cello choirs begin the evening of Friday October 18th, and the Celebration culminates with the performance in the Finale Concert on the evening of the 19th.
We are celebrating the idea of “Finding your authentic musical identity”. This thought-provoking theme will have us delve into the intricate journey of finding and embracing your authentic musical self. Embracing your authentic musical identity means having the courage to be vulnerable, to express your true self through your music, and to share that with the world without fear of judgment or comparison. With our guest artists panel, we will discuss matters such as fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where cellists of all backgrounds and levels of experience feel inspired and empowered to explore their own authentic musical identities. The combined Grandioso Celebration Cello Choir will premiere a new work by Tom Walworth that features the music of the rock band Queen.
All participants must complete the standard Online Registration Form no later than 12:00 p.m. 10/16/24. Registration cost is $97 for early bird registration, and $120 for regular registration. Registrants will receive a link to submit online payment soon. Early Bird Registration ends on Friday, October 11th at 11:59 p.m.
2024 Honoree
Kara Hunnicutt, principal cellist of the Yakima Symphony, has a life-long passion for chamber music and symphonic music. Founder of the Cascades Piano Trio, Kara has been the cellist with Lake Chelan Bach Fest string quartet, and with chamber ensembles with the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, Methow Music Festival, Central Washington University, Yakima Symphony players, Musica Viva players, and more. Kara has also served as principal cellist for Wenatchee, Everett, Tacoma, Mid-Columbia, Okanogan, Orchestra Seattle, Lake Chelan Bach Fest, and Seattle Bach Fest symphonies. Kara is founder/director of the Ellensburg school orchestras program since 2007, and received the 2024 Orchestra Director award from the Washington State ASTA (American String Teacher Association).
Participation / Eligibility
Participants will rehearse and then perform in either the Celebration Cello Choir (high school/college level) or Debut Cello Choir (intermediate level of 2y+ experience) in the Finale Central Cello Celebration Concert. For the final premiere work, all cellists will perform together. All participants are encouraged to attend all sessions: masterclasses, discussions, rehearsals and concerts.Students aged 14+ are eligible to participate as a performer in the master class sessions and recitals with teacher recommendation. Please ask your cello teacher to email a very brief recommendation to perform to Professor John Michel.
On Campus Housing
We are pleased to offer on-campus lodging for our participants. We offer single ($26) or double ($52) for dormitories. Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Limited spots available!
Pianist Accompaniment
If you are performing and your piece requires accompaniment, you are responsible to acquire your own accompanist or request one of our collaborative pianists listed below.
Faculty & Staff
Artists, Panelists and Clinicians
- Nathan Chan, Cello, Seattle Symphony
- Bruce Walker, Columbia Basin College Professor
- Tom Walworth, CCC resident composer, Thomas Jefferson High School orchestra
- Kara Hunnicutt, Yakima Symphony principal & Ellensburg Schools orchestras director
- Dr. Bret Smith, CWU Professor of Music Education/Cello
- John Michel, CWU Professor of Cello
Official Pianists
- Dr. Giyong Ahn, CWU Lecturer of Collaborative Piano
- Barbara Balatero, cellist / pianist based in Seattle
Conductors
- Celebration Cello Choir, Nikolas Caoile, CWU Director of Orchestras
- Debut Cello Choir, Bruce Walker, Columbia Basin College professor
Coordinator Contact
- TBA
CCC Sheet Music
- Download page (Dropbox)
CCC Schedule
Friday, October 18th
- 4:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. ~ Registration/Check-In, Lobby
- 5:00 p.m. ~ Panel Discussion on “Finding your Authentic Musical Identity”, Recital Hall
~ Bruce Walker, Kara Hunnicutt, Alex Pualani- Concluding with Question and Answers from participants.
- 7:00 p.m. ~ Cello Celebration Recital, Recital Hall
- 8:05 p.m. ~ All Participants Reception (meet and greet), Student Lounge
- 8:30 p.m. ~ Combined Cello Choir Rehearsal, Concert Hall
- 9:15 p.m. ~ Debut Choir Rehearsal, Room #150
- 10:00 p.m. optional: Cello Movie/Game Night, Room #113 or Informal Cello Ensemble readings into the wee hours of the night! (pending interest)
Saturday, October 19th
- 8:00 a.m. ~ Registration/Check-In, Lobby
- 8:30 a.m. ~ Debut Choir Rehearsal, Band Rehearsal Room #150
- ~ Celebration Cello Choir Sectionals:
- Part 1 in Classroom #113
- Part 2 in Choir Rehearsal #153
- Part 3 in Recital Hall
- Part 4 in Concert Hall
- All Debut Cello Choir Parts in #150
- 9:15 a.m. ~ Celebration Cello Choir Rehearsal, Concert Hall
- 11:00 a.m. ~ Master Class with John Michel, Recital Hall
- 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. ~ View Sponsor Exhibits and student clubs, Lobby,
- 12:00 p.m. ~ Lunch, Student Union Building (optional)
- 1:00 p.m. ~ Master Class with Nathan Chan, Recital Hall
- 2:00 p.m. ~ Cello Celebration Recital, Recital Hall
- 3:00-4:30 p.m. ~ Combined Cello Choir Rehearsal, Concert Hall
- 4:30 p.m. ~ Free Time / Snacks
- 5:30 p.m. ~ Cello Choir Call, Choir Room #153
- 6:00 p.m. ~ Cello Celebration Finale Concert, Concert Hall
- 7:05 p.m. ~ Farewells, Rotunda ( possible breakout hangs)
- 8:00 p.m. ~ Dinner (TBD, optional)
Optional: College-Bound Activities (Observe actual college classes at CWU!):
Thursday, October 17th
- TBD
Friday, October 18th
- TBD
- 4:00 p.m. ~ Questions about College (ask and discuss college with CWU cellists)
Special thanks to the CWU Music Department and our sponsors:
- Hammond Ashley Violins
- Starkie Lutherie
- R.L. Ray Violin Shop
- Rafael Carrabba Violins
- Henry Bischofberger Violins
- Ricardo Perez Luthier
Biographies
-
Nathan Chan
Nathan’s multifaceted cello career spans solo, chamber music, and orchestral realms, driven by his belief in music's power to invite camaraderie among musicians and patrons alike. Named a local Forbes 30 Under 30 for Seattle, he has attracted new audiences to classical music by embracing technology and social media with over 35 million views across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Nathan has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony and The Royal Philharmonic. He has enthusiastically participated in music festivals such as the Marlboro Music Festival, where he collaborated with Mitsuko Uchida and Anthony McGill, and embraced growth at Fondation Louis Vuitton's Classe d'Excellence de Violoncelle with Gautier Capuçon. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Joshua Kosman praised him for his "profound technical gift and... his mastery of musical narrative." Nathan earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics from Columbia University and his Masters of Music with Richard Aaron at The Juilliard School. He currently serves as the Assistant Principal Cello of the Seattle Symphony. Visit him online at nathanchan.com.
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Barbara Balatero, Cellist and Collaborative Pianist
Barbara Balatero graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a Bachelor Degree in cello performance and a Master of Music in Teaching where she studied cello with Andor Toth Jr. At Oberlin, Art Montzka introduced her to the Suzuki method. Between 1974 and 1976 she served as a US Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, playing in the National Symphony, teaching cello and starting the Suzuki program in the National Music School. Barbara has maintained a large private studio of Suzuki students in Seattle, and has retired from being the director of the Japan–Seattle Suzuki Institute in order to do more teacher training in Latin America. She is a registered teacher trainer of the SAA and is a cello student of Rajan Krishnaswami. After 50 years of teaching, Barbara is retiring from studio teaching in June. She will continue to do Suzuki Teacher training throughout Latin America. -
Tom Walworth, Composer
Tom Walworth is a music educator, cellist, vocalist, and composer. He teaches orchestra, guitar, and Mariachi at Thomas Jefferson High School in Federal Way. He also coaches for the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and the Lake Samish Music Camp. Tom is the principal cellist for Rainier Symphony and has performed with the Federal Way and Auburn Symphonies. His choral works are published by Colla Voce Music and has been the Composer-In-Residence for the Central Cello Celebration since 2008. He is a charter member and bass sectional leader of Northwest Repertory Singers (Tacoma). He studied cello with Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel and Hamilton Cheifetz, and voice with Thomas Goleeke and Bill Eddy. Tom had the honor to perform in a master class with Janos Starker in 2000 and solo with the Tacoma Community College Orchestra and the Rainier Symphony. He resides in Des Moines, WA with his family and cats.
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