Lori grew up playing classical cello in orchestras and chamber groups, studying in high school on Long Island with Aaron Shapinsky and at Bennington College with Maxine Neuman. She builds on that solid foundation when teaching. She often hears adults lament that they played violin, viola or cello as kids but gave up that love to learn instruments that would take them out of the concert hall and into the garage with dreams of becoming rock stars. What a shame; those instruments can move beautifully between genres! The leap to improvising can be nerve-wrackingfor strictly classical players but Lori loves to act as a trusted bridge. “In that way,” she says, “I like to offer my students a more well-rounded education.”
Her goal for her students (and herself) is to play as expressively and efficiently as possible. Lori teaches with an awareness of body mechanics that comes from time spent with dancers, yoga and talented body work practitioners — saving strain on the back, neck and hand.