Katie Tertell

American cellist Katie Tertell is a passionate chamber, orchestral, and cross-genre artist in high demand with some of Europe’s leading ensembles. She is a former member of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and recipient of several awards including the prestigious Exceptional Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) from the UK Arts Council and Home Office.With more than 18 years of teaching experience, Katie is a sought after pedagogue, chamber coach and workshop clinician. She was invited in 2011 to be the cellist of the quartet in Residence at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, and has led workshops and masterclasses in the US, Europe and Asia with students ages 6 to 80.

Her teaching draws upon many influences and styles, but she feels especially indebted to her immersion in the school of cello playing created by the legendary cellist Janos Starker from her studies at Indiana University.

A graduate of the Sato Center in Cleveland, Ohio, she received a second Masters Degree in Suzuki Pedagogy in addition to her Masters in Performance which also informs her teaching style. She has a strong foundation and deep understanding of psychological aspects of performing which is widely incorporated in her work with most students, as is her extensive knowledge of both historical and theoretical aspects of Western music.

During 2021, Katie and cellist Ailbhe McDonagh, learned one Popper study each week, recorded a live discussion of practice tips and performed it live to each other. Each of these videos gives two professional cellists’ practice approaches to each étude. Learn more about this project here: www.popperetudes.com.