Lonergan Studio Parent/Student Recommendations

The following parents/students have given their permission to be contacted via email. To communicate, click on one of the links below and request contact in the email form that appears. Debra will forward your message to the author in order to protect the author's privacy. Once the author responds, you may proceed with a private correspondence.

1) From S. R.:
"This has been our daughter’s first year studying cello. From what we had read, we knew that learning to play a string instrument can be challenging, and that progress typically comes rather slowly. We searched for a teacher with the patience to encourage our daughter through potentially frustrating early months of learning."

"When my daughter and I first met Debra we immediately felt comfortable and reassured by her warm, gentle personality, and I have been greatly impressed by her teaching skills. She is very engaged in the lesson, sitting on the floor in front of my daughter. The lessons are very organized and flow comfortably from one part to the next. Debra gently encourages her to notice and describe how things feel and sound to her. She uses easy-to-understand analogies and works with my daughter to find the right analogies for her. My daughter continues to think and talk about these ideas long after her lesson because Debra has not merely told her something, but has guided her in discovering something exciting, fun, and important. My daughter feels motivated to think about ways to improve her technique and skills. "

"Debra is very encouraging, always finding just the right words to praise my daughter’s effort and correcting her mistakes gently. Debra is passionate about her instruments and takes the time to answer all sorts of questions my daughter has about their form and function."

"In June our daughter played in the recital at the Kerrytown Concert House. She played with confidence and pleasure alongside many of Debra’s very accomplished older students. I have been delighted by her progress in her first year and give Debra my highest recommendation."       Contact S.R.


2) From S.Z.:
"Perhaps the primary characteristic we were seeking in a cello teacher for my son was patience. He was 10 when he started taking cello lessons, and I knew from his older sister's experience that the first couple of years with a string instrument can be challenging. We have been so happy with Debra over the last two years! She has been patient and understanding of A. throughout, as well as very encouraging and affirming--pushing him just the right amount, so that he would take it seriously without feeling overwhelmed by his lack of expertise. His musical skills are really starting to blossom now, and it is a delight to hear him. And I know from listening to Debra's other students at recitals that she is an adept teacher of cellists with a lot of experience and talent--I know she will continue to be the right teacher for Andrew even as his musical skills develop."       Contact S.Z.


3) From J.D.:
"Debra is a wonderful teacher! Our daughter is not a traditional learner and needed a teacher who would be flexible in her teaching style. From our daughter's first lesson, we knew Debra was the one. She is supportive and fun, at the same time that she challenges her students to grow. She brings out the best in each student. She is also a very fine cellist in her own right.
We give her the highest recommendations!"       Contact J. D.


4) From L.S.:
"I have been taking lessons from Debra for 2 years. As an adult beginner, I have "special needs" and different demands, and she has met or exceeded them all. In particular, she recognizes that I have a vision of cello-playing that is at odds with my ability, and has worked with me to satisfy my desire to make beautiful music."       Contact L.S.


5) From A.P.:
"I cannot recommend Debra Lonergan highly enough. Our daughter has been studying with Debra for three years now, beginning at age 8, and her enthusiasm has never waned. She looks forward to her individual lessons with Debra every week, and to the group classes as well. I think it is because Debra excels not only at music pedagogy, but at forging an intellectual and emotional bond with her students. We feel extraordinarily lucky to have an opportunity to work with such an exceptional musician and teacher."       Contact A. P.


6) From K.S.:
"Debra teaches her students to love music as well as to play the cello. My daughter began studying with Debra in the 3rd grade...she is now a senior in high school and still loves to play cello. We highly recommend her as a teacher for beginning as well as more accomplished students."       Contact K.S.