Cello Lessons in San Francisco & Daly City
Whether you’ve always wanted to play, put down your cello years ago and never picked it back up, or have a child ready to start their musical journey, I’d love to work with you.
I’m Will Barrett, a conservatory-trained professional cellist and teacher based on the San Francisco Peninsula. My students range from curious adults picking up the instrument for the first time to school-age kids building real technique and a genuine love of music.
Lessons are available at my home studio in Daly City and at my San Francisco studio near Montgomery Street BART — making it easy to fit lessons into your week, whether you’re on the Peninsula or commuting through the city. Video lessons are also available.
Dynamic and fun lessons
We don’t just stare at each other over our cellos. I incorporate rhythm exercises, ear training, music theory, and movement to keep lessons exciting and to support my students’ exploration of the joy of music.
You can sound amazing
Cello tone is my specialty. There’s nothing more gorgeous than a great cello sound, and I love developing it with students at every level. Small adjustments to bow grip, weight transfer, positioning, and bow speed can make an enormous difference — and your left hand affects your tone more than most people realize.
You can play comfortably, naturally, and without pain
Technique isn’t one-size-fits-all. We’re all built differently, and children change as they grow. I’ve studied multiple approaches from different teachers and bring principles from the Alexander Technique to support relaxed strength and movement without tension. My goal is to help every student find a way of playing that feels natural and sustainable for them specifically.
A teacher who cares
A relationship with a music teacher can be profound and formative, especially for children. I care more about my students’ happiness than their technical excellence, and I aim above all to be a helpful guide in their musical journey — even when that means slowing down, taking a breath, and finding a new way forward.
Teaching philosophy
I teach to share the joy of music with others and to honor the tradition I’ve inherited from my great teachers.
I work with my students to develop big ears, relaxed bodies, full hearts, and lively minds. My lessons incorporate music theory, ear training, rhythmic exercises, and occasionally singing — all in service of developing the concept of music alongside the physical technique of playing the cello. I aim to understand each student’s goals and be a helpful guide in their journey, even when that means slowing down, taking a breath, and finding a new way forward.
What students say
Grace — parent of a student, ~18 months
"Will has been a wonderful teacher for our 10-year-old son. He is gentle, calm, and methodical in his approach. He gives specific feedback on how to improve across different dimensions of posture, technique, and musicality, and sets realistic goals week by week. Our son started as a beginner with him around 18 months ago and is now starting to sound somewhat convincing with the famous Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1! We are very pleased with his progress and highly recommend Will as a teacher."
Margherita — adult beginner, 1 year of lessons
"I have been taking 30-minute weekly cello lessons with Will Barrett for a year now. He is knowledgeable, prepared, and most importantly to me, grounded and centered in his approach to teaching. As an advanced woodwind player, learning how to play cello from a beginner’s perspective has been a rewarding and enjoyable adventure with Will. He understands the differing challenges experienced by youth and adult students. There is a flexibility built into the structured lessons, taking into account my busy work schedule while still holding me accountable to my long-term goals. If I feel inspired to learn more about a topic, he is always prepared. He reminds me that although I might understand what I need to do, I have to practice consistently to get there."
Kim — adult learner, 1 year of lessons
"I have been studying cello with Will for about a year. I find Will to be very patient, especially with me as an adult learner. He basically lets me take the lead in what I’m interested in learning. He is very knowledgeable about the science behind how to make the cello sound good. If Will knows I like a certain piece of music, he’ll either find me the piece or he’ll compose it himself at my current level so I can play it. I appreciate all of the effort he puts into teaching me."
Sandra — adult learner, 1 year of lessons
“I’ve been studying cello with Will for several years as an adult student, and it’s been a fulfilling experience. He’s patient, and thoughtful, and adapts his teaching style to suit how and what I want to learn, rather than following a rigid approach. I especially appreciate that he incorporates music theory in a way that aligns with my interests, and he’s helped me make meaningful progress despite a limited range of motion in one finger. He teaches a wide range of styles and is well-connected in the local music community—highly recommended.”
Who I teach
Adult beginners
It’s never too late. Adults are some of my favorite students to work with. You bring focus, motivation, and the ability to understand why something works — which means you often progress faster than you’d expect. We’ll start with solid fundamentals and build toward repertoire you actually want to play. No experience required, and no judgment.
Returning players
If you played in school or earlier in life and life got in the way, you haven’t forgotten as much as you think. We’ll dust off your technique, address any habits that may have crept in, and get you playing music that excites you again.
School-age students
I work with children who are ready to commit to the instrument and build strong technique, musicianship, and a genuine love of music from the ground up. Parents are warmly welcomed to sit in, especially in the early stages.
Pricing & Studio Policies
Lesson rates
30 minutes — $75
45 minutes — $112.50
60 minutes — $150
30-minute lessons are best suited to beginners with less than one year of experience, and to younger children who aren’t yet ready to sustain focus for a full hour. As students progress, longer lessons allow for deeper, more sustained work.
Lesson Locations
Daly City — Home studio, convenient to the Peninsula and South SF. Ample parking. Address shared after enrollment.
San Francisco — Near Montgomery Street BART, ideal for students commuting through the city.
Video Lessons — Available for students who live too far to meet in person, or for days when in-person isn’t possible. No price difference.
About Trial Lessons
Every new student starts with a free, one-hour trial lesson. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and explore your goals. If you or your child is a beginner, we’ll spend most of this time away from the instrument — talking about music, what excites you, and what you hope to achieve. For students with some experience, please come prepared with a polished piece or two, something you’re currently working on, and some thoughts on where you’d like help.