Carolyn Hagler
is the director & primary instructor for Cello Discovery. She has been a professional cellist and educator for over 40 years.
I look forward to guiding you on the cello, and helping you discover the beauty and meaning music can bring into your life.
The joy of the cello
Music has opened doors to experiences I never dreamed were possible. It has brought many cherished people into my life. I cannot imagine a life without music. This is one of the main reasons I decided to develop a website for adult beginning cello students.
I really believe you can become a cellist later in life. It’s absolutely achievable and I want to share with you my lifetime of experiences teaching and performing so that you too can share the joy of the cello in YOUR life.
Carolyn has performed all over the globe and garnered international acclaim with her “soulful stirrings” as a cellist – both in the US and abroad. She has performed on many recordings and movie soundtracks as well as on stage with Harry Connick Jr, Steve Wariner, Andrea Bocelli, Smokey Robinson, Kat Edmonson, Itzthak Perlman, Joshua Bell and a host of others.
One of Carolyn’s performance ensembles was featured on NPR and on National Radio Spain. Carolyn was also one of the earliest members of the New World Symphony in Miami FL – America’s Orchestral Academy, preparing highly-gifted graduates of distinguished music programs for leadership roles in orchestras and ensembles around the world.
Carolyn is a member of these professional string educator associations:
American String Teacher’s Association,
Texas Music Educators Association,
Austin Federation of Musicians
My thoughts on teaching
I believe one of the concepts which defines a good teacher is the amount of time they spend reflecting on teaching. What worked? What didn’t work? How can I do that better the next time? I’ve seen a LOT in my 40 years of teaching but I still reflect on how I can give the best instruction so that a student can be successful.
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Meet The Team
The people who make Cello Discovery happen
Carolyn Hagler
Founder & Instructor
Carolyn is a tenured member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and holds Master of Music degree in performance from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a K-12 teaching certificate in the state of TX.
Carolyn has performed all over the globe and garnered international acclaim as a cellist – both in the US and abroad.
Carolyn is also the director of the Austin Cello Choir where she rehearses 25-30 budding cellists each week.
“Connecting people through music is my true calling and teaching students the magic of music is the ultimate goal of Cello Discovery – at any age or stage of life.“
Matthew Armbruster
Instructor
Matt is an avid performer, educator and concert producer in Austin, TX. He is a tenured member of the Austin Symphony, and performs regularly with many Austin concert series and festivals, including Texas Performing Arts, SXSW, The Butler School of Music, Austin Camerata, and Density 512, among others.
Matt holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Matt maintains a small private studio in central Austin, and has taught cello students ranging from age 4-65.
“I enjoy distance running and discovering new breweries. I hope to run my first marathon in 2026.”
Hey-Eun Grace Kim
Pianist
Grace records the beautiful piano accompaniments heard throughout Cello Discovery.
Grace began piano lessons at the age of 4. She earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity, cum laude, from Truett Seminary at Baylor University where she was granted a Presidential Merit Scholarship.
Grace was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Performer of the Year by the Piano faculty and elected a member of the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda.
“After many years of performing, I now enjoy raising my two sons, teaching private lessons and working on my doctorate.”
Anne Mitchelson
Web Developer
Anne is the designer-developer who supports our website. She enjoys the process of tinkering with code and playing with color.
She spent many years working for a large corporate entity, but much prefers her current role helping small businesses grow their online prescence.
“I enjoy hiking and gardening, and I love spending time with my two sons when they’re home from college.”
Anja Geelen
Social Media Manager
Anja is our social-media and newsletter mastermind. She packages and ships the ideas we concoct up here at Cello Discovery and makes sure they end up in your feed and your inbox.
After decades of founding and managing two enviro-nature Montessori pre-schools and founding The Heart School (a learning platform for teachers), she found her happy place here at Cello Discovery – as a beginning cello student.
“I live in New Zealand and I enjoy throwing on a pack to hit the back country trails and huts.”
Kirsten Schelper
Web Designer
Kirsten’s eye for detail and web design were a vital part of the recent re-design of Cello Discovery.
She holds a degree in communication design, she specialized rather early in the web. She has been building websites for over 15 years now.
She writes and teaches about CSS, WordPress, and block themes. She is cofounder of WordPress Meetup München.
“When I am running out of ideas, I play the cello. Not very good, I’m afraid.”
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