Cello Lessons for all ages
Have you always wanted to play the cello?
Are you wanting to invigorate your practice
with a creative approach?
I have been teaching the cello since I was 15 years old, and it continues to spark my curiosity and delight.
Classically trained at the University of Queensland, I am also a long-time student of the Alexander Technique, and have deeply embedded these principles into the process of learning and teaching the cello. I perform in a wide range of settings as a soloist, a chamber musician, a band member, studio musician and with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. I bring my wide variety of knowledge and experience of coordination and somatic awareness to the process of learning with my students.
I encourage improvisation and curiosity in lessons always aim to foster an innate musicality and drive for learning. I am also accredited to guide students through the AMEB examination process, which can provide great structure for learning and improvement as well as ongoing opportunities for performance.
I run a cello ensemble in Cygnet, and also have a group forming in Hobart, to give performance opportunities to my students. I have a lot of fun working in these group settings, and it is a great excuse to come together as a community to share in the joy of music and learning.
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Home studio in Deep Bay, TAS, or online via Zoom/Jitzi and file sharing - full price $90/hr, concession $80/hr.
Lessons requiring travel (Hobart and surrounds) - $100/hr, depending on travel time/cost.
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CCC is a vibrant community of learners. I lead the group with a specific focus on joyful, holistic learning. My desire is to cultivate kindness and awareness through community music-making.
Being a part of the choir includes:
Fortnightly 2hr workshops/rehearsals (Saturdays 2-4pm)
Group-led practice sessions on the opposite fortnight (2-4pm)
Beautiful music arranged for cello choir to learn and play
Seasonal concerts throughout the year
Occasional cello retreats to immerse into the world of music and cello
Term fees vary depending on the length of the term and concerts involved. Please contact me to discuss if you wish to join.
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Want to give the gift of music?
I offer gift vouchers for lessons both online and in-person.
$90 for one hour
$80 for 45 mins
Pack of 3 for $250 (save $20)
Pack of 5 for $400 (save $50)
Please contact me to arrange your gift cards to be sent via email!
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Learn how to improve your coordination and cooperate with your natural design to do the things you love in the world. I am teaching as a trainee and am offering lessons at a lower price. I may consult my teaching supervisor in the process of working with you. Find out more here.
Private lessons: $80 for 50 mins or pay what you can.
Group lessons: Join the mailing list for updates or contact me to request a class in your area.
Georgia's passion for the cello is infectious - her teaching style is holistic, encouraging and inspiring. I have felt huge shifts in my connection to the instrument, and the music it makes, after only a couple of lessons.
- Penelope Jones
“Learning from Georgia is an experience like no other. In one year, my inner world has been reimagined, refashioned, as if enchanted, shaped in deep, soft shooting star like tendrils of pleasure as after 53 years, music has returned to me seemingly by magic.
Georgia’s way is to envelop her charges in kind understanding and intuitive insight, all the while drawing on her wide knowledge of traditional and complimentary modalities. Her students are invited to embark on a playful, subtle yet very tangible adventure. Her sincere and tailored approach is as distinctive as it is special.”
- Anjeleca Daniel
“Thank you so much for all you did to help me along in continuing my cello journey over the few lessons we had, Georgia. You were brilliant.
- Introducing me to the Alexander technique which at first was a bit alien, however is something I now embrace.
- Telling me to stop being so hard on myself - & to seriously consider investing in new, quality strings of which I eagerly await delivery!
- Showing me how crooked my bowing was - now straightening, using your techniques.
- Fixing my left hand problem - reintroducing my thumb to the fingerboard.
- Those wonderful arpeggio exercises - getting me over the phobia of playing right to the bottom of the fingerboard, learning how to obtain clarity of sound instead of a tortured cat!!
- Variety of bowing patterns on scales - serious brain exercises!
- Getting the best out of the musical pieces.
- Re-introducing me to vibrato - absolutely essential in playing beautiful music on the cello.
- That wonderful calming aura you create in your studio.
Gosh the list just goes on & on.
And that was over only what - 4 lessons?
And that wonderful candlelight concert. From D&M meditation at the start to wonderful music complete with light (& perhaps dark!) comedy!
You’re an absolute legend & I thank you very much.”
- Peter Smart
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I feel very fortunate that Georgia decided to settle in the Cygnet area and to have her as my cello teacher. Being an older student, her patience, encouragement and enthusiasm is much appreciated.
Georgia’s relaxed approach to teaching make my lessons enjoyable and her knowledge in regards to looking after your body and being in tune with the cello is so helpful. I cannot speak highly enough of Georgia’s skills as a teacher and I would encourage anyone with aspirations to learn to play the cello or those who are already acquainted with this amazing instrument to contact her.
- Sharron Schultz
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Learning cello with Georgia - there are no mistakes or wrong notes.
Instead, I find myself on a journey - discovering a relationship with my cello and how we sing together.
I love the fact that every lesson feels like an improvisation - Georgia listens to find out where I'm at - then crafts an experience to explore what I'm finding challenging or difficult. Technique is woven into an experience of play and fun, and shows Georgia's intuitive understanding of an individual's learning process. I am so engaged and engrossed that the hour passes in a flash and I leave inspired and excited to play more on my own.
- Heather McCabe
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Cello lessons with Georgia Shine and my daughter are a beautiful thing. Responding to the whole person, Georgia puts her cello brain on, and they literally play – in multiple senses of the word – and have fun. Georgia asks as many questions as she offers knowledge and tricks, and my daughter leaves happy and enthusiastic.
- Lucy Wilson
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Tell me about you
Please fill out your details with some background information below if you would like to ask any questions or share your cello experience and desires with me before booking in for a lesson.
Alternatively, you can use one of the links above to go straight to my online booking platform to get right into it!
More reviews…
Georgia does literally shine as a passionate, kind and supportive teacher who walks alongside you to guide your own individual learning journey. As an adult learner, Georgia inspired me to think differently about music and the cello and the connection of both with my body and mind. Georgia encouraged me to play (playfully), to explore, and to feel confident even as a beginner, in what I could bring to this endeavour to learn to play the cello. I would highly recommend Georgia as a teacher to both beginners and experienced students – she has a wealth of expertise to share, and she does so with grace and generosity.
- Zoe Mander-Jones
It was not an easy one of a student : 70 plus year old male accustomed to his own very ways, his deep understanding of the classical world of music combined with his desire to produce immortal sounds on a cello of his own. Throw in my own limited ability of fingers etc, etc… to do what a youngster could do in a flash under Georgia’s guidance. This was a challenge for any tutor and it bears testimony to Georgia’s wholesome professionalism to keep me on track over three years until her departure from Brisbane. Georgia got me over the lows, inspired me to take up what she laid out ahead; her patience, charisma and dedication to her profession enriched my life, more than she was aware of, and also it was always fun and inspired interaction. Thanks Georgia… and very much so.
- Lutz Wolf
Georgia is an incredible teacher! I’m a folk cellist, and have struggled with finding the right balance of technique and freedom to pursue my interests in lessons. Georgia took this into account, and created engaging lessons that worked on the areas I needed to improve. I can’t recommend her highly enough!
- Lucy Menzies
I can thoroughly recommend Georgia as a cello teacher. She really took the time to explore what sort of music I wanted to play and, being an adult learner, I had an idea of this. Georgia's friendly and open disposition made it very easy for me to ask questions, without feeling silly. She is encouraging, supportive and highly skilled, making her well equipped to teach adults and children alike. If Georgia was a film, I'd give her 5 stars :-)
- Jill Young
I would describe Georgia as a ‘classically-trained cellist turned rogue.’ As her student, I benefit greatly from her formative years of classical education, as well as her unique life experiences; her passion for play, movement, & creative expression, and her years of studying & practising of the Alexander Technique.
She is so much more than a teacher. She is a creative mentor who coaches me in the art-form & magic of music, as expressed uniquely through the seamless union of my cello and I. She has shown me far more than merely how to play the cello. Georgia has taught me how to breathe, how to ‘dance’ and how to commune with and through my cello. She has shown me how to develop a lasting relationship with this fine instrument that sings to my heart & soul.
I feel both humbled and spiritually empowered for having been blessed with her guidance in my cello journey, so that I may become exactly the kind of cellist I want to be. Thank you, Georgia!
- Pauline Pearse
Georgia is an outstanding cello teacher. She brings the wealth of her experience as both teacher and student to every lesson and is always full of enthusiasm thanks to new insights from the numerous workshops she attends. She has a keen eye in particular for economy and beauty of movement and effort in playing and performance, but also thinks deeply about the psychological aspects of performance. I highly recommend her as an adult student and I know she has many devoted school age students.
- Ben Sheppard