William Suh’s teaching portfolio includes a diverse range of students, from adult amateurs to college, high school, and middle school students. Suh brings a wealth of experience gained from his role as a secondary lessons instructor at Yale University’s School of Music. During this time, he worked with students from Yale College, preparing them for auditions and performances with the Yale Symphony and Yale’s Berkeley College Orchestra. Suh has also taught in the Passes and Lessons Scholarship Program at the Aspen Music Festival and School and coached chamber music at the Morse Summer Music Academy, part of Yale’s Music in Schools Initiative.

Suh focuses on imparting technical proficiency, historical context, and emotional nuance to inspire students to express their unique musical ideas; his goal is to instill in them a deep appreciation for the historical significance of each piece while equipping them with the techniques to articulate their narratives effectively. For beginners and intermediate learners, Suh emphasizes foundational exercises to develop the toolkit to express various musical characters. Advanced students delve into nuanced emotions and concepts, working towards crafting a convincing interpretation and discovering their artistic voice.

Suh’s teaching philosophy is rooted in a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional lessons. Through a sincere interest in students' lives and a vision to foster growth in their musical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, this comprehensive development empowers students to become well-rounded musicians grounded in their unique personas. Suh’s studio is a secure yet dynamic environment that encourages students to explore their creative pursuits. Lessons are personalized to each student's interests and aspirations, covering fundamental technique exercises, musicianship, and a thorough understanding of repertoire analysis, music theory and history.

To support effective practice habits, Suh encourages students to maintain practice journals, promoting reflection and accountability. He works collaboratively with students and families to establish and reassess goals, viewing the process of goal-setting as essential to sustained growth and musical achievement.

Through this collaborative approach, students not only learn to play the cello with joy, confidence, and passion but also develop as generous, ambitious, and intellectually curious individuals. For more information or to schedule a trial lesson please reach out via the CONTACT button on the navigation bar, or completing the form at williamsuh.com/contact.