Welcome to Play Cello Music

Build confidence, learn music you love, and play with others - no matter your level.

Imagine Being Able To...

  • Play confidently for your partner, friends and family

  • Join an orchestra, ensemble, jam session or perform solo

  • Create your own arrangements and musical ideas

  • Play more in tune, relaxed and with a beautiful tone

  • Feel proud of your progress as a cellist

Inside Cello Club You’ll Get

  • Live online sessions every fortnight

  • A regular opportunity to perform in the Club Hang

  • Supportive international cello community

  • Learn tunes by ear in all styles

  • Improve confidence performing for others

  • Chords, grooves, bass lines & improvisation

  • Gentle guidance without pressure

Feeling Like This?

Do any of these sound familiar? If so, Cello Club was created for you

  • I don’t know what to practise

  • I miss playing music with others

  • I feel nervous playing for people

  • I’ve lost momentum with cello

  • I want to play more freely, not just read notes

  • I need encouragement and regular inspiration

HOW CELLO CLUB WORKS

Week 1 – Live Lesson Session

Learn a tune by ear and explore:

  • technique through real music
  • chords and harmony
  • rhythm and grooves
  • bass lines and licks
  • improvisation ideas
  • practical musicianship

No dry exercises. Everything is taught through enjoyable music.


Week 2 – Club Hang Session

A relaxed community gathering where members:

  • play pieces they’re working on
  • receive kind, constructive support
  • ask questions
  • share progress
  • learn from each other
  • stay motivated through connection

Many members say this session gives them the confidence to perform publicly.


WHO IT’S FOR

Cello Club is perfect for:

  • adult learners
  • returning players
  • hobby musicians
  • creative cellists
  • classical players wanting freedom
  • anyone craving a musical community

You don’t need to be advanced. You just need a cello and the desire to grow.


WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT

Most online learning gives you videos and leaves you alone.

Cello Club gives you:

  • real human connection
  • regular live guidance
  • accountability to keep going
  • a safe place to play for others
  • practical musical skills
  • joy and momentum

People join for the learning, and stay for the community.


MEMBER RESULTS

Members often experience:

  • renewed motivation to practise
  • stronger confidence
  • more relaxed playing
  • courage to perform
  • deeper musicality
  • lasting friendships with fellow cellists

MEMBERSHIP

Join Cello Club

$52 USD per month OR $520 USD annual

Includes:

  • Both live fortnightly sessions
  • access to session replays
  • learning resources
  • community support
  • growing tutorial library
Watch Intro Video

"An Incredible Cello Community!"

Play video to hear what members are saying.

5 star rating

EXCELLENT COURSE !!!!!

Chris Podlaskowski

Having first purchased the book and CD, I was eager to purchase the course when it became available. Ilse has done an excellent job on the tutorials. Her e...

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Having first purchased the book and CD, I was eager to purchase the course when it became available. Ilse has done an excellent job on the tutorials. Her explanations of the arrangements and demonstrations are very easy to follow. I also find the additional material such as the history of the airs to be very interesting. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in Irish Airs. FIVE STARS *****

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5 star rating

Better than I anticipated

Carmen Robinson

This is the exact kind of sound and teaching style I have been searching for. Thank god for YouTube. I will finally get cello lessons-take that COVID! I'm...

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This is the exact kind of sound and teaching style I have been searching for. Thank god for YouTube. I will finally get cello lessons-take that COVID! I'm ecstatic and cannot wait to show off

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5 star rating

Eamonn a' Chnuic - Ned of the Hill

Chris Walher

The demonstrations are inspiring and very instructive

The demonstrations are inspiring and very instructive

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5 star rating

My First Irish Airs

Corinne Lilie

So far, I think it's absolutely fabulous. The instruction is extremely thorough for someone new to Irish Traditional with the sheet music, clearly marked an...

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So far, I think it's absolutely fabulous. The instruction is extremely thorough for someone new to Irish Traditional with the sheet music, clearly marked and then accompanied by excellent video with again complete explanation of the way the music should be played.

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5 star rating

Trad on Cello Learning to Play by Ear

Corinne Lilie

Instructions and format are excellent and thorough. Like that there's both the music and seeing each piece played which helps with doing repetitions yoursel...

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Instructions and format are excellent and thorough. Like that there's both the music and seeing each piece played which helps with doing repetitions yourself. Great Approach to learning by ear.

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5 star rating

fun and very professional

Anne Becker

loving this cello course...high standard and great resources with online support.

loving this cello course...high standard and great resources with online support.

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5 star rating

just great, especially for beginners!

Michael weremay

5 star rating

What a Gift To Cellists!

Bob Morrow

The clarity and detail of Ilse's instruction is top notch. It is not just about the right notes and bowings but how to harness your instrument to create tha...

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The clarity and detail of Ilse's instruction is top notch. It is not just about the right notes and bowings but how to harness your instrument to create that haunting emotion that airs are known for. All with the ability to slow the video down. I'm still moving through the course but training tips like this next one are hidden gems in the instruction. >>Eamonn a' Chnuic and Double Stop Training - Love the Practice tip for perfecting difficult double stop passages that Ilse provides at the four minute mark of video #1. Good stuff and can be used in all sorts of ways! Now for the next three steps practice, practice, practice.

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5 star rating

boolavogue

Roberta Lasnik

i loved learning the tune be ear.

i loved learning the tune be ear.

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5 star rating

WONDERFUL!

Susan Hogan

5 star rating

Best instructor

Michael weremay

Best on line cello instructor ever!!!

Best on line cello instructor ever!!!

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5 star rating

fun and very professional

Anne Becker

loving this cello course...high standard and great resources with online support.

loving this cello course...high standard and great resources with online support.

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Director

MA (Hons) Music Ilse de Ziah

I love to help cellists find new approaches to playing cello. I have been running the Cello Club for three years. It is full of inspiration and great ideas. I love it! I ran many workshops for cellists and other string players over the years, taught chamber music at University College Cork, musical director of the Cork Light Orchestra, a member of the contemporary 'deep listening' Quiet Music Ensemble. I tour as duo De Ziah & Date with the virtuosic guitarist Ian Date. I also work in theatre and make films. I play cello in many different styles, from Irish, Jazz, Rock and Roll to Classical. This has given me a broad experience of getting the most out of the cello. I am always exploring new ideas and ways to push cello boundaries! I saw a need for quality solo pieces that are challenging but not impossible, sound great, develop technique and are perfect for performance and I compose, arrange and publish this music. I create music for cellists, so that when someone asks, "play for me, I love the cello", there is an alternative to Bach. (beautiful though he is!) I help students improve through playing music they love; to develop technique, style, memory, and confidence.

Send me free tips, tutorials, and cello inspiration!

Thank You

Not Ready to Join?

Try one of the self-paced tutorials first and come back when you're ready for the full community experience.

CHECK OUT MY YouTube CHANNEL!

"So Supportive"

Mary

"I am so enjoying the Cello Club. You are so supportive of all of us, and it seems as though the group is already meshing so nicely. It is great to have the opportunity to interact with other cellists on this path. It is wonderful for companionship despite my starting so late in life. What lovely people you have attracted."

Find Your Cello Community

Join a welcoming global community of adult cellists and enjoy steady progress, real confidence, and musical connection.